By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State government has issued a six weeks ultimatum to trucks and other haulage vehicles to get necessary documents and ensure that they are road worthy condition to avoid punishment.
The decision was reached at a stakeholder’s meeting with owners of trucks and articulated vehicles in Lagos on Friday.
The Director, Vehicle Inspection Service, (VIS), Mr Akin George Fashola, said that there was an agreement among participants that a period of six weeks be given all stakeholders involved in haulage movement to revalidate their documentation and put their vehicles in a proper working condition, and that failure to obey will mean such vehicles would be impounded by the VIS.
The sensitisation, according to Mr Fashola, became necessary because of the frequent traffic jam resulting from the frequent breakdown of rickety vehicles and trucks that ply Lagos roads.
He noted that these trucks constitute danger to citizens’ safety, stating that the stakeholders meeting was aimed at bringing different players together to educate them on government policy relating to the movement of dry and wet cargo within the State.
He added that the increased traffic in the commercial city caused by the regular breakdown of vehicles, indicated the need to make drivers understand the culture of safety on Lagos roads as well as enlighten them on the need to be more cautious and responsible in their daily operations.
Mr Fashola warned that the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) would henceforth, uphold the State government’s zero tolerance for rickety trucks and articulated vehicles to promote safety on Lagos roads.
While warning operators of articulated trucks, tippers and tankers to comply with all guidelines on Safety and Standard operations or be sanctioned, the Director listed some areas of agreement between all parties.
These include zero-tolerance for rickety trucks and articulated vehicles on Lagos roads; all drivers of articulated vehicles should ensure they hold the required Class-G drivers licence; and there should be adequate publicity on radio, television and newspapers on government directives to sensitise other members absent from the gathering.
Other decisions include that all articulated vehicles that develop mechanical problems should not be allowed to load or leave their loading points; there should be a collaboration with haulage companies that own computerised testing facilities that meet global standard practice to enhance compliance and safety.
He also added that there should be continuous training and retraining of drivers, among others.
Aduragbemi Omiyale 
Modupe Gbadeyanka