The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it is collaborating with Ogun Government on a joint task force to checkmate illegal parking of articulated vehicles on the state’s highways.
Mr Akinwunmi Fasakin, the FRSC Sector Commander in Ogun, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abeokuta at a stakeholders meeting with transportation unions in the state.
Fasakin explained that the measure was to address the rising cases of road crashes and traffic gridlocks caused by indiscriminate parking of trucks and trailers.
According to him, the increasing presence of small, medium, and large-scale industries across the state has resulted in a sharp rise in the influx of trucks and trailers.
“The industrial growth has brought about a surge in road crashes involving heavy-duty vehicles. It is important to develop and implement strategies aimed at curbing the excesses of the vehicles
“FRSC has commenced stakeholders engagement and sensitisation involving truck drivers, commercial drivers, mining and quarry drivers.
“To strengthen enforcement, a joint task force is being proposed, comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), FRSC, and the Police.
“This task force will focus on dislodging illegally parked trailers, particularly around Ogere, Interchange, and other critical corridors of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
“Letters have been sent to companies operating in the affected areas to provide proper trailer parks for their trucks,” he said.
The sector commander also said many of the drivers involved in road crashes and gridlocks were unlicensed, underaged or inexperienced.
“They take advantage of the size of their vehicles to bully smaller cars on the road, which is totally unacceptable,” he added.
Also, Alhaji Monsuru Owokade, Vice Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Abeokuta branch, commended FRSC’s efforts in ensuring safer roads.
“The programme is timely, and we also hold regular sensitisation for our drivers to ensure they avoid alcohol before getting behind the wheel,” he said.
Similarly, Fatai Diyaolu, Representative of Ogun State Trailer Drivers Association, expressed satisfaction with the programme, and called on FRSC to sustain the sensitisation
