Nigerians have reacted differently to the order by the Lagos State government restricting articulated vehicles from moving between 6am and 9pm. The order followed the tragic accident at Ojuelegba area of Lagos last Wednesday, when a container fell on two vehicles and killed three persons.
But while reacting to the order, the Lagos Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Corps Commander, Hyginus Omeje, said the restriction during the daytime would provide for free movement at night which contravened road safety law. He said: “The restriction was announced by the Lagos State government. We are going to have a meeting to address its implementation and look at the modalities to approach it. “But if trailers are restricted during daytime, it means they are allowed to move at night.
That is equally discouraged. But what all road stakeholders, state and Federal, are doing is to advocate safety standard during journey.” Some articulated vehicle drivers, who spoke with our correspondent, said the order was lopsided because night journeys were riskier. One of them, Mr Innocent Anuforo, said: “The issue of moving in the night would be riskier, considering the nature of our roads.
“Secondly, it would affect businesses because it all means we have to restrict our movement to one trip at nights. I think government should rather regulate the movement of cars. Some car owners don’t seem to care that they are driving alongside long vehicles. They compete with us on the road and we are not usually patient.” Another driver, Mathew Moses, said he preferred to move during the day.
