Reps task FG on completion of road rehabilitation

The House of Representatives on Thursday harped Federal Government to expedite action on all ongoing road rehabilitation in a bid to end the recurring cases of falling freight containers on major highways across Nigeria, which has led to the death of hundreds of road users.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion on the need to confront the menace of the increasing rate of falling freight containers in Nigeria sponsored by Hon. Olufemi Adebanjo, who beckoned on the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) to look at the roadworthiness of ‘flatbed trucks’.

In the bid to ensure the safety of road users, the lawmakers harped on the need to ensure proper latching of the containers and those defaulting vehicles should be detained till they are properly latched.

In his lead debate, Hon. Adebanjo expressed concern over incessant cases of falling containers in Nigeria especially in Lagos State and the havoc leading to death sometimes permanent disability to the victims.

“The House is aware that at the turn of this century, the death toll on the world’s road have hit 3,400 per day and nearly 1.3 million with up to 10 million injured every year as a result of falling containers as proclaimed by the United Nations (UN) between the period of 2010 to date.

“The House is concerned that during this period, the record of freight falling containers has increased especially in Lagos State, as Lagos is among the top shipping lines in Nigeria and among the Resolutions passed by the United Nations on ‘improving global road safety’ that Apapa road should be attended to.

“The House is also concerned that among key decisions reached on monitoring the progress of the roads, a summit for vehicle inspection and road safety officers which kicked off in Calabar has done little to avoid these disasters because of the bad portion of the road.

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While expressing displeasure over the remote and immediate causes of the mishaps, the lawmakers also urged Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) under the aegis of Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMARTO) to address the bad condition of trucks plying the route of Nigerian Ports which has caused damages and deal with defaulters.

The House also admonished Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to insist on the size and also adhere to the best international standard on flatbeds which are 104.1mm long, 55.9mm wide with a pointed top and rotated 90 degrees in order not to be detached.

The House also underscored the need for relevant regulatory agencies to conduct retraining of the drivers to ensure they comply with safety regulations and that weight checkers on bridges be reintroduced to ensure overweight vehicles are apprehended.