The House of Representatives on Tuesday called for an immediate ban on the movement of fuel tankers across Otedola Bridge from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. as part of ongoing efforts to prevent recurring accidents in the area.

The resolution was passed following the adoption of a motion on urgent public importance titled ?Urgent Need to Address the Root Causes of Frequent Accidents on Otedola Bridge, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway,? sponsored by Hon. Sesi Whingan, who sought the House?s intervention.

The prohibition, according to the lawmakers, is to be strictly enforced by the Nigeria Police, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), with designated movement hours for tankers under strict monitoring.

According to Whingan, a petrol tanker overturned and exploded on Otedola Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on March 11, 2025, at approximately 8:00 p.m. The devastating inferno destroyed vehicles and properties, causing severe traffic disruptions on this critical transport corridor, with the full extent of casualties and losses yet to be determined. He noted that this tragedy is the latest in a series of fatal accidents on the bridge, including incidents in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, which have established the location as a recurring danger zone for motorists and commuters.

The House recognized that investigations and expert analyses have identified multiple causes of these frequent accidents. Engineering defects such as the steep gradient and sharp descent of the bridge place excessive strain on the braking systems of heavy-duty vehicles, increasing the risk of brake failure and loss of control. Mechanical failures, including brake malfunctions, burst tires, and vehicle overloading, have been linked to poor maintenance and regulatory failures.

Human error, including reckless driving, excessive speeding, and inadequate training of tanker operators, further exacerbates the risks posed by the bridge?s challenging terrain. Weak enforcement of vehicle safety regulations, failure to restrict tanker movements despite previous policy commitments, and the lack of necessary infrastructure upgrades have allowed these preventable disasters to persist.

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the FRSC, and other relevant agencies, bears a constitutional duty to ensure the safety of road users. However, Otedola Bridge remains an example of infrastructural and regulatory failure. The economic losses, fatalities, and psychological trauma caused by these recurring accidents demand urgent intervention to prevent further disasters.

To address the problem, Whingan underscored the need for an engineering assessment and structural redesign of the bridge. The House directed the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to conduct a comprehensive technical audit within 30 days, focusing on its gradient, descent, and structural vulnerabilities, with a mandate to recommend modifications such as gradient reduction, reinforced safety barriers, and emergency escape lanes for implementation within 12 months. The House also resolved to allocate emergency funds for immediate repairs to damaged sections within 90 days, pending the completion of a full redesign.

To enhance compliance, lawmakers mandated the FRSC to establish permanent weighbridges and vehicle inspection stations along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway within 60 days to ensure that all tankers adhere to legal weight limits and braking system standards, with defaulters subject to vehicle impoundment and prosecution.

The House also called for the enforcement of a nationwide policy requiring biannual certification of all fuel tankers, digitally monitored to eliminate mechanically unsafe vehicles from Nigerian roads within six months.

For improved traffic management and regulation, lawmakers urged the installation of speed cameras, rumble strips, and enhanced safety signage on the approach to Otedola Bridge within 90 days to alert drivers to the hazardous descent and enforce compliance.

To ensure capacity building and accountability, the Federal Ministry of Transportation was directed to develop a mandatory training and certification program for tanker drivers within six months, focusing on handling heavy-duty vehicles on steep gradients and emergency response procedures.

Additionally, the House urged the ministry to establish a joint task force comprising the FRSC, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Agencies, and relevant transport unions. This task force is expected to conduct a full investigation into the March 11, 2025, tanker explosion and previous accidents on Otedola Bridge within 21 days, ensuring that all culpable parties?whether drivers, transport owners, or regulators?face legal consequences. (Nigerian Tribune)

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