TheCable

Ned Nwoko, senator representing Delta north, has called on the federal government to enforce a nationwide ban on movement of heavy-duty vehicles during the day.

Speaking with NAN on Tuesday, Nwoko said the ban has become imperative due to the rise in road accidents across the country.

He added that these crashes have resulted in a staggering annual death toll exceeding 40,000. 

He said statistics from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) revealed a concerning trend, “with a 6.01 percent increase in road traffic crashes in the fourth quarter of 2022, escalating further by 6.16 percent in comparison to the same period in 2021”.

Nwoko added that his motion on the issue, titled: ‘Compelling Need to Enforce Nationwide Ban on Movement of Heavy-Duty Vehicles in Daytime’, is already before the senate.

“I was informed about the grievous incident that happened in Rivers on April 26, wherein a fuel-laden tanker erupted in flames, claiming the lives of four individuals and engulfing approximately 100 vehicles at the Eleme section of the East-West Road,” Nwoko said.

“This followed a collision with another vehicle, catalysing a catastrophic explosion that rapidly spread to adjacent tankers and vehicles ensnared in the ensuing traffic impasse.

“I was also informed about another harrowing incident that occurred at Okene Bypass on the Okene-Lokoja expressway in Kogi on April 28, involving a cement truck which tragically claimed the lives of no fewer than 19 individuals, epitomising the perils posed by heavy-duty vehicles.

“I am concerned that it has become all too commonplace to encounter fuel-laden tankers, heavily laden cement trucks, and articulated vehicles hauling perilous cargo jostling for space alongside passenger vehicles during daylight hours and early evenings.

“This exacerbate the risk of collisions and calamities on the nation’s roadways.”

He encouraged other states to borrow a leaf from “Lagos and Abia, as they have already implemented prohibitions on the daytime movement of trucks and trailers on state roads, thereby limiting their operations to night hours as a proactive measure to curtail the escalating deaths on daytime roads”.

“I therefore call on the federal ministry of transportation to collaborate with the FRSC to incorporate a nationwide ban on daytime movement of heavy-duty vehicles into its safety requirements/guidelines for articulated lorries (tankers/trailers) operations in Nigeria,” he added.

“They should be permitted to carry out their operations only between the hours of 12 midnight and 6 am.

“I equally call upon the FRSC to exercise greater diligence in their operations, upgrade traffic and vehicle standard regulations where necessary, and ensure strict enforcement.”