Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu extol executive-legislature harmony at commissioning of Pen Cinema flyover

Fuel Tanker Falls On Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Shuts Down Road

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu yesterday extolled the harmonious relationship that exists between the executive and legislature leading to monumental infrastructural development in the state.

They spoke at the official commissioning of the 1.4 km dual carriageway flyover at Pen Cinema, Agege. Sanwo-Olu said the completion and commissioning of the bridge 648 days after he took over from its initial 20 per cent work done demonstrated what both arms of government can achieve working together. He urged Lagosians to join hands with him as they continue to promote economic prosperity through sustainable road infrastructure all over the state. The Governor, who applauded the residents for their support pledged to continue to improve vehicular movement and traffic flow in the area with the widening of the Ojodu- Berger road to bring relief from the Lagos- Ibadan Expressway.

Earlier, special adviser on works and infrastructure, Aramide Adeyoye, said the state would soon commission the completed Ariyo (Mile 10), Ira-Muwo Bridge in Ojo Local Government Area.

In related development, the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway was completely shut down after a trailer carrying 33,000 litres of PMS broke down and its tanker dislocated from its bed during recovery.

The tanker at Charity bustop, Oshodi, Lagos. Photo; ENIOLADANIEL

Speaking with The Guardian, an eyewitness claimed that the trailer belonging to MRS without a number plate broke down under the bridge and when LASTMA officials got there, they towed the truck but before getting to Charity bus stop, the tanker disconnected from the trailer bed and the officials abandoned it. When The Guardian got to the scene around 3:30 pm, men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were controlling the traffic while Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) officials were there to empty the tanker as well as NUPENG officials but no LASTMA official was sighted.

Speaking with The Guardian, LASEMA Director of Operation, Akinsanya Olatunde, said, “we got a distress call in respect to a tanker incident at Charity Bus Stop.

“We learnt that in a bid to make a turn along with Charity, the tanker slips and fell off the truck and thereby causing a serious impediment to vehicular movement along this corridor.

“We mobilized together with the Lagos State Fire Service to ensure that the impediment is removed and Lagosians can go about their busses smoothly.

Speaking on the allegation that the LASMA officials left after the tanker had fallen, Olatunde said, “when we got here, there were no LASTMA officials, so, I cannot verify that but what we have on ground is a tanker that is carrying 33,000 litres of PMS. You can imagine the impact the content could cause so, we knew the danger and that calls for a serious emergency and that is why LASEMA had to take action quickly in recovering the broken-down truck.

“The Director-General/CEO, LASEMA, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Dr. Oluwafemi had said that from the beginning of this year (2021), LASEMA will not be doing recovering alone, but also enforcing so as to serve as a deterrent to tanker driver operators. They need to make sure that their vehicles are in order. What happened here was caused by an unserviceable truck and the Lagos State government cannot afford to fold its hands and watch this kind of incident continue.

“If we conduct a vulnerability assessment and from empirical data, if we have to come up with the order that tanker should be moving at night to reduce the hazard, then, we will do so.

As at the time of filing this report, all efforts to speak with the Public Relations Officer Of LASTMA, Olufemi
Filade was futile as he picked and hanged the call, he also did not reply to a text sent to him

As at the time of filing this report, all efforts to speak with the Public Relations Officer, LASTMA, Olufemi Filade was futile as he refused to speak when called and did not reply to texts sent to him.