The Ogun State government has warned drivers of articulated trucks carrying over 40 tonnes of goods to desist from plying asphalt roads within Abeokuta metropolis and other township roads, or face the full wrath of the law.
The state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, stated this at a press conference, held on Tuesday, at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Adegbite attributed the bad states of roads within the state capital to number of articulated trucks plying the internal roads with more than 30 tonnes of goods.
He noted that government had continued to use scarce resources to maintain the roads for road users, saying the asphalt roads could carry more than 30 tonnes, hence, the need for them to ply designated routes.
“We have carefully observed that our regular townships maintenance are not lasting because of the number of overweight trucks plying on them. The asphalt roads are designed specifically meant for 30 tonnes trucks only, Adegbite said.”
He added that government is setting up units at some strategic borders with the support of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) and the state Police Command to ensure that truck drivers comply with government’s directive.
The commissioner advised truck drivers to operate within the ambit of the law, insisting that anyone found culpable of carrying overweight goods on the asphalt roads would be dealt with.
He submitted that the establishment of weigh stations should be considered by government as it is being done in other climes.
Asked to comment on the ongoing major roads construction across the state, the commissioner explained that works were slowed down on the roads due to the current economic challenge facing the country.