FAMILIES of the Otedola tanker fire accidents that occurred on the 28th of June 2018 have urged the Lagos State Government (LASG) to release the report of the DNA test carried out.
This is even as the Lagos State Government has begun moves to ensure the prosecution of the Kano-based owner of the tanker trailer.
It will be recalled that eight families showed up for DNA testing in connection with the Otedola Link Bridge tanker fire incident.
Speaking on Tuesday during a meeting organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, some family members present at the briefing urged the Lagos State Government to release the DNA test result as it has taken too long after the fire accident.
Some of those who believe strongly that their family member died and needs to be identified in other to be given befitting burial rites said they are worried as it has taken too long for the Lagos State Government to release the result.
According to the families who spoke at the press briefing organised by the transport ministry in Lagos, “We would like to know the result of the DNA test result because, for me, my driver was involved in the accident, leaving his wife and four kids behind.
“Now the members of the family have been asking for the outcome of the DNA test in other to ascertain the death of their father.
I will like to urge the Lagos State Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the Ministry of Health to ensure speedy release of the DNA result.”
Speaking earlier the Commissioner of Transportation of Lagos State, Mr Ladi Lawanson commiserated with the family of those who lost their lives to the fire incident.
He said the effort is in place to ensure that the owner of the vehicle that led to the fire accidents is prosecuted.
In his word, “I will like to commiserate with the family members of those who lost their lives to the fire accidents on the Otedola bridge.
It is so unfortunate, but the Lagos State government have written a letter to the Commissioner of Police in Lagos to ensure that the owner of the vehicle is brought from Kano to Lagos for prosecution.”
He said 55 vehicles were affected, consisting of 42 SUVs, 7 buses, 3 trucks 2 pea crops and 1 tricycle. He added that twelve lives were lost to the fire accidents.
The Director Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) Engr. Hafiz Toriola said out of the 55 vehicles lost, 39 were registered in Lagos and the ownershoccurredhe 39 vehicles have been identified through the Auto Magnetic Machine, a machine used in tracing numbers of vehicles and the owners.
He said those identified will be compensated duly.
The Director-General Nigeria Insurance Association (NIA) Mrs Yetunde Ilori said compensation under this particular incident fall into two categories and only those with genuine insurance will be compensated.
In her words ” I want to commend the Lagos State government for the release of this report identifying the total numbers of vehicles involved in the fire accident, but to also state that compensation will only be made to those who have their vehicle insured.
“Compensation under this particular incident fall into two categories, first if the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident has insured his vehicle.
For every vehicle that has comprehensive insurance, the association will ensure that the insurance company pay depending on the value they have put into their insurance.
” The other is the third party insurance. Any third party insurance that is less than N5000 is fake and this one will not be entitled to compensation”.
She urged the public to ensure that their vehicle is insured, adding that it is a criminal act to drive the vehicle on the road without insurance covered.
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