Lagos exempts petrol tankers, trucks from daytime restriction

LAGOS State Government yesterday exempted petrol tankers and a few other trucks from the restriction order that prohibits long vehicles from plying the metropolis from 6a.m to 9p.m.

The government, following a meeting with the protesting tanker drivers unions, said that the relevant section of the Lagos Traffic Law 2012 does not apply to petrol tankers and long vehicles used in conveying passengers and they are free to ply the metropolis within the stipulated time.

It would be recalled that state government had last Monday ordered enforcement of the restriction law following a fatal truck accident in Ojuelegba, a fortnight ago.

The development led to protest and strike threats by the affected truck drivers unions. Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Transportation, Oluseyi Whenu, in his clarification yesterday, said the Section 2 of the Lagos Traffic Law ‎2012 restricts movement of trailers and long vehicles only.

According to Whenu, “Vehicles with more than one real axle or six tyres are hereby restricted between the hours of 6am and 9pm with the exemption of the following in accordance with Section 2 and 38 of the Road Traffic Law 2012. “These exemptions are tour bus/passenger buses, fire service trucks, rescue and recovery trucks, petrol trucks, perishable farm products trucks, refuse collection trucks, cement mixer trucks, tractors and refrigerated trucks,” Whenu said.

The PS added that the clarification became necessary following the controversy generated by the enforcement of the law, ‎after a fatal accident involving a container laden trailer claimed three lives in the state about two weeks ago.

He said the state government remains committed to the protection of lives and properties 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.