In a move to curb incessant traffic gridlock and reduce crashes involving articulated vehicles, the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), has convened a high-level Strategic Road Safety and Regulatory Stakeholders’ Engagement with members of truck owners associations and other transportation Unions across the State.

The interactive session at the TRACE Headquarters, Ajebo Road, Abeokuta, brought together representatives of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Edible Tanker Driver and Truck owners association.

Addressing the gathering, the most Senior TRACE Officer, Commander, Elias Adedayo Omonayajo, said the engagement was necessary following rising cases of indiscriminate parking, reckless driving and breakdown of trucks along major corridors, especially along Leme Iyana- Mortuary, Abeokuta–Sagamu expressways. 

According to him, the administration of the Governor Dapo Abiodun remained irrevocably committed to the protection of lives and property. Through the implementation of sustainable transportation policies, institutional reforms and continuous stakeholders’ engagements aimed at entrenching orderliness, professionalism and operational efficiency within the transportation sector.

He further admonished Truck owners and operators not to perceive road safety regulations as punitive measures, but as indispensable measures at safeguarding lives, properties and to facilitate seamless vehicular movement across the State.

Omonayajo, revealed that several tragic incidents involving Truck drivers had been recorded along major traffic corridors such as Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Benin/Ore Expressway , Sango/Ota-Atan-Owode-Idiroko Highways; Abeokuta-Kobape-Siun-Interchange Expressway Abeokuta, Ewekoro-Ifo-Sango/Ota Expessway  amongst others.

He maintained that the major causes of these unfortunate crashes included reckless overtaking, driving against traffic, fatigue, arising from prolonged driving hours, traffic light violations, use of mobile phones while driving and careless twist-lock truck containers, not leaving out  non-compliance with extant safety regulations, particularly overloading and carrying of loads without covering.

“Trucks are critical to our economy, but their operations must not endanger lives or disrupt the free flow of traffic, we are moving from appeal to firm enforcement. However, we believe dialogue must come first so that all parties can understand their responsibilities.”  Omonayajo noted.

Responding on behalf of others stakeholders, Nigeria Union of Mines Workers, Alhaji Akanbi Jelili, commended TRACE for organising what they described as a timely, pragmatic and impactful initiative, geared towards achieving safer roads and a more coordinated operation framework within Ogun State, promising to convey the outcome of the engagement to their drivers.