DESPITE TRAILERS PLYING ROADS IN DAYTIME, LAGOS STILL SAYS THEY REMAIN BANNED

Despite the movement of trailers and articulated vehicles on Lagos roads at all times of the day, the Lagos State government has said they are restricted between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

In a statement issued at the weekend, the state government said that while Section 2 of the Traffic Law restricts movement of trailers and long vehicles, only petrol tankers and long vehicles used in conveying passengers are allowed to travel within the metropolis between the stipulated time.

Oluseyi Whenu, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transportation‎‎, said vehicles with more than one rear axle or six tyres are restricted between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Mr. Whenu added that there are some exceptions to the law.

“These exemptions are tour bus/passenger buses, fire service trucks, rescue and recovery trucks, patrol trucks, perishable farm products trucks, refuse collection trucks‎, cement mixer trucks, tractors and refrigerated trucks”, he said.

Last week, Mr. Whenu had restated the government’s determination to restrict articulated vehicles within the stipulated time.

His comments came days after an unlatched trailer fell and killed three people at Ojuelegba, Lagos.
But despite the government’s pronouncements, container-laden trailers have continued to ply the Lagos metropolis at all hours of the day.

Mr. Whenu said the latest clarification became necessary following the controversy generated by the enforcement of the Traffic Law.

He said the state government remains committed to the protection of lives and property of residents irrespective of social, cultural or economic classification and therefore solicits the compliance, cooperation, support and understanding of all and sundry as regards the renewed enforcement of the Law.