Otedola Bridge accident: Lagos Govt reveals cause of explosion, announces restriction for tankers

The Lagos State Government has released initial findings into the fatal accident that happened on the Otedola Bridge, near the Lagos-Ibadan expressway on Thursday.

The accident caused by a petrol tanker, led to the death of nine people, while over 50 cars were also burnt.

While addressing journalists on Sunday, the Lagos Commissioner for Transportation, Ladi Lawanson, said interim findings showed that the petrol tanker was carrying far above its appropriate weight.

“From this preliminary investigation, the truck should not have been loaded to the weight of 30 tonnes, which is twice its pulling capacity,” Lawanson said.

He also announced restrictions on the movement of tankers within the city.

“As an immediate response to the latest incident, the Lagos State Government hereby announces the following measures: fuel tankers are hereby directed to ply the designated trailer route, that is, Apapa-Oworonshoki Expressway via Ogudu to Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“All tankers and containers coming into Lagos State from henceforth are directed to obtain the Ministry of Transportation Certificate of Road Worthiness at any of or centres within the next 30 days, while new centres along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will be established to quickly to cope with the expected demand for this service,” Lawanson said.

He listed the 10 centres currently available to process the applications to include Berger, Ojodu; Odogunyan, Ikorodu; Agric/Ishawo Road, Ikorodu; Worksyard, PWD, Shogunle; NCI, Gbagada; VIS Yard, Oko-Afo, Badagry; VIS Yard, Ayobo-Ipaja; Test Centre, Badagry; VIS Yard, Epe; and VIS Yard, Oko-Oba Abattoir.

Lawanson also disclosed that Lagos government was already exploring alternative modes of transportation of petroleum products, to separate passenger traffic from cargo movements.

He also said that government, in partnership with all the stakeholders, would set up joint-enforcement of the operating laws, while barriers would be installed on bridges in Lagos to prevent articulated trucks including Ojuelegba, Mobolaji Bank Anthony, Ekodeso, Abule-Egba, Lekki-Ajah, among others.