Ogun: TRACE begins enforcement, restriction of trucks plying overhead bridges
By Tobi Adetunji
The Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) has commenced enforcement of the traffic law and restriction of vehicles with six tyres and above from plying overhead bridges in the state.
The Sango-Ota Area Commander, Mr Ajibade Adekunle disclosed this during an operational tour to Sango-Ota Bridge to monitor the level of compliance with his operatives, on Saturday, in Ota, Ogun.
Ajibade, who spoke on behalf of the Corps Commander of TRACE, Mr Seni Ogunyemi, said that the directive was recently given by the State governor, Dapo Abiodun, to check sanity and safety of lives and property.
“Immediately the directive was issued by our Corps Commander, we swung into action by designing and erecting traffic signage to notify unwary truck drivers.
“We also embarked on vigorous enlightenment to sensitise and educate the motoring public about the new order.
“As you can see, the signage has been erected, the enlightenment exercise is ongoing and TRACE operatives have since been deployed to the foot of the bridge to divert truckers from climbing the bridge,’ he said.
Ajibade said that the new directive did not affect vehicles with four tyres from using the bridge.
The Area Commander said that the directive was made by Governor Abiodun on the scene of the tanker explosion.
He stated that by this pronouncement and for the purpose of clarification, articulated vehicles were not allowed on our overhead bridges across the state again.
“This restriction will include any vehicle and trucks of any sort that has a trailer attach to it, whether articulated or 30 tons.
“ In addition, it could also be a petroleum tanker or a container carrying flat-bed and others that are articulated will not be allowed on these bridges again because it is obvious that we have seen in recent times in order to ensure the safety of lives and property of our people,’’ he said.
According to him, the governor said his administration would soon roll out stiffer sanctions against drivers of any petroleum tanker or any vehicle with six tryers and above, caught on any of the overhead bridges in the state.
“This is the measure among other measures that the Ministry of Transportation will be rolling out in the next few days,” the governor stressed.
The Nigerian Newsdirect had reported the banning of articulated vehicles from using the bridge came following a tanker explosion incidence that claimed six lives and razed several properties in Abeokuta on the Jan. 16.
