Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has condoled the families of the victims of the accident that claimed nine lives in the Ojuelegba area of the state.
It was a tragic Sunday in the Ojuelegba axis after a container fell on a bus resulting to the death of nine persons with many others injured.
Governor Sanwo-Olu while condoling with the families of the victims, assured of a thorough investigation into the matter.
“Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on behalf of the people and government, sympathizes with the families of those who died today in the Ojuelegba truck accident,” the state’s Transportation Commissioner Frederic Oladeinde said in a statement.
“The accident will be thoroughly investigated so as to prevent a recurrence of such tragic incidents. We are working with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to install Vehicle/Truck barriers on the inward and outward sections of the Bridge.
“We share the grief of those who lost their loved ones in the accident and pray that the Almighty will strengthen them at this difficult time.
“The Government will continue to implement its Transport Master Plan, which has safety strategies that will ensure that our roads are safe.”
The speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila described the incident as unfortunate and sad.
Gbajabiamila said he received the news of the falling of the 20-feet container on a commercial minibus, popularly known as Korope, with indignation, and was pained that innocent people lost their lives in such a manner.
The Speaker lauded the efforts of the officials of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), FRSC, Police and others in evacuating the victims and rescuing one person.
Gbajabiamila called for immediate action and an investigation into the incident.
“I was sad and shocked at the news of the killing of the nine innocent people by a container. I became more brokenhearted when I saw the gory images of the incident. This is unfortunate and unacceptable.
“This is not the first time such incident is happening in Lagos. I, therefore, call for immediate temporary installation of barriers as the case on Oba Akran – computer village, Ikeja to prevent trailers from using the bridge and compelled to use the under bridge alternatively to avert future occurrences. It is unacceptable for people to die in such a way at same spot multiple times,” Gbajabiamila said.
The Speaker said such an unfortunate incident was one of the reasons why he sponsored the Federal Highway (Amendment) Bill which amongst other things provided for latching of containers and access to container trucks on overhead bridges at only restricted hours, and stiffer penalties for those that kill innocent Nigerians on the road.
Gbajabiamila sent his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the people of his constituency, Surulere, and the Lagos State Government.
He prayed to God to repose their souls and give their families the fortitude to bear the loss.
