The Federal Government is weighing plans to install weighbridges on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as authorities seek tighter controls on overloaded trucks following Monday’s tanker fire at Otedola Bridge.
Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, said the proposal would be taken to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, within a week.
Dare spoke on Tuesday at Otedola Bridge during a joint briefing with Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi.
“Within the next week, we will present a proposal to the minister to see how weighbridges can be incorporated into the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway,” Dare said.
The proposal is expected to form part of plans to upgrade the expressway with continuously reinforced concrete pavement.
Dare said weighbridges would help officials detect overloaded heavy-duty vehicles and improve enforcement of safety standards. Authorities would also be able to carry out checks on braking systems.
The move comes after a tanker caught fire around the bridge on Monday. Dare said preliminary accounts showed that the fully loaded tanker rolled backwards before falling beneath the bridge following a collision with another vehicle.
One person suffered burns in the incident and was receiving hospital treatment, according to information cited by Osiyemi.
Although officials have said the bridge remains safe for motorists, Dare said the Federal Ministry of Works would conduct a comprehensive structural assessment to establish its condition after the fire.
Beyond the latest incident, Dare pointed to reckless driving and poor vehicle maintenance as persistent dangers on the expressway. He also raised concerns about illegal truck parking and the theft of road infrastructure.
More than 100 solar lights have been removed from the highway, according to the controller.
Federal and state authorities are now planning a wider meeting in mid-November to tackle safety problems along the corridor.
Dare said motorists, traditional rulers, security agencies in Lagos and Ogun states and other stakeholders would be involved.
Osiyemi said Lagos and Ogun had secured approval from Umahi to bring key officials and other parties together. Transportation commissioners and police commissioners from both states are expected to participate.
The Lagos commissioner backed the weighbridge proposal, saying overloading and the suitability of some vehicles using the highway needed attention.
“We need weighbridges, and without that agreement, it might be tough because the corridor is one that requires collaboration,” Osiyemi said.
He also called on truck owners and transport unions to ensure their drivers maintain their vehicles and observe safe driving practices.
Lagos has deployed additional personnel to the roads as part of its ember-month safety campaign, Osiyemi said, while urging motorists not to sacrifice safety in an attempt to reach their destinations faster.
“It is better to travel and get to our destinations later and safely than trying to rush and die in the process,” he said.
Dare, meanwhile, praised LASTMA and other emergency responders for their response to Monday’s fire.
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