By Olakunle Oke
The Lagos State Government has unveiled a sweeping reform agenda aimed at sanitizing the trucking industry and reducing the frequency of fatal road crashes.
The initiatives include a N150 billion financing scheme for new vehicles, the designation of specific haulage routes, and strict border inspections.
Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the Commissioner for Transportation, disclosed these measures on Tuesday during a session on the Ask Lagos X Space platform.
He outlined a technology-driven approach where truck data from cargo terminals is synchronized with a central system, allowing enforcement officers to verify clearance in real-time and detect fraudulent operations.
To address the prevalence of aging, unroadworthy trucks, the state has partnered with financial institutions to provide approximately ₦150 billion in loans and grants to operators.
Osiyemi explained that the government would act as a guarantor in this scheme, which aims to facilitate the phased acquisition of 2,000 modern Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks to replace dangerous vehicles currently on the roads.
The Commissioner highlighted the government’s plan to restrict heavy-duty vehicles to specific corridors, keeping them away from sensitive urban areas and residential neighborhoods.
He noted that discussions are advanced regarding the construction of new haulage routes encircling the city, designed to allow trucks moving from the ports or mainland to bypass inner-city bridges.
Addressing the recurring accidents on bridges like Ojuelegba and Dorman Long, Osiyemi explained that the structures were not designed for prolonged static heavy loads, and their curved architecture poses risks for laden trucks.
While height-restricting barriers were installed to enforce compliance, he lamented that many are damaged within 24 hours due to driver fatigue, poor visibility, or deliberate sabotage.
In a bid to stop unsafe vehicles before they enter the metropolis, the Ministry has identified five major entry and exit points for the establishment of comprehensive inspection facilities.
These hubs will feature Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) checks and weighbridges. Osiyemi warned that any truck found to be overloaded or unroadworthy at these borders would be denied entry into Lagos.
The reforms also target the human element of road safety. The Commissioner cited preliminary findings indicating that many truck drivers over the age of 40 suffer from poor vision, a critical safety hazard. Consequently, the state plans to introduce mandatory health and eyesight checks, which will be conducted directly at driver hubs to ensure compliance.
Osiyemi further detailed ongoing reforms under the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to formalize commercial transport.
Operators will be required to join registered cooperatives with a minimum fleet size and undergo regular retraining at the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute.
However, he emphasized that these changes are being implemented gradually to avoid disrupting the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on the sector.
