The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on behalf of the people and government, sympathised with the families of those who died on Sunday in the Ojuelegba truck accident.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Frederic Oladeinde, made the disclosure in a statement signed in Lagos on Monday.
Oladeinde said that nine persons died in the accident while the injured persons were being treated in hospital.
He said that the accident would 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,”Oladeinde said
He,however,said that the government would continue to implement its Transport Master Plan,which had safety strategies that would ensure safer roads.
Similarly,The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila,also described the incident as unfortunate and sad adding that he received the news with indignation,and was pained that innocent people lost their lives in such a manner.
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The Speaker lauded the quick 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 eight 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.
According to him,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.
Speaker 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.