The Lagos State government has banned trucks and trailers from plying roads in the State during day time.
The government said trucks and trailers are now restricted to night operations on Lagos roads, in order to avert rising carnage during day time.
The restriction order would soon be implemented by the government.
The government met with officials of various truck unions in Ikeja on Wednesday to make its position known on the directive, and implementation of route restrictions for trailer and truck drivers operating within the State and movement period restricted to night.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde announced that the government has mapped out dedicated routes to be plied between 9:00pm and 6:00am daily.
He said the move became necessary as the Apapa area of Lagos has been rendered less profitable for investors in all sectors due to the gridlock and activities of truck drivers along the axis, appealing further to stakeholders to cooperate with the government to remedy the situation.
Oladeinde urged stakeholders to put aside their sentiments and think of other motoring public as this isn’t geared towards spitting them but opening up the State for greater economic realities, adding that attitudinal change on the part of truck drivers was necessary if any progress would be made.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Oluwatoyin Fayinka warned that non-compliance from truck drivers would be met with the full weight of the Law, with sanctions exerted on offenders, advising that they utilize the grace period to get their acts together and conform with the directives.
While requesting the Nigerian Port Authority to furnish the Ministry with information on vehicles call up schedule on daily basis, Fayinka maintained that it would also help control the influx of vehicles into Lagos, especially Apapa ports, and prevent the loitering of tankers and trucks along road corridors with its attendant damage on infrastructure, which contributes to traffic gridlock.
A representative of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Ayodele Durowaye lauded the initiative, stating that it is not a new development. He, however, proposed that a forum be created to discuss the technicalities and draw up solutions that will ensure safety and ease stakeholders’ operations.