***Calls for urgent action, restriction of heavy-duty vehicles
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
THE Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Federal University Lokoja (FUL) Branch, has decried the spate of accidents involving truck drivers on Lokoja-Abuja highway, in Felele, claiming innocent lives.
In a statement signed by Chairman, FUL branch of SSANU, Mr Kadiri Ismaila Ndakata, the Association said that the articulated vehicles (trailers) accidents, killing innocent students, had become a recurring nightmare, leaving families shattered.
The Association said it was compelled to issue the press statement to express members’ deepest condolences to the university community, students, and families of the victims of the tragic accident that occurred at Felele in Lokoja, Monday evening.
SSANU held that the Spate of accidents in the area with the rate of student casualties was unacceptable, and therefore, urged the Federal and State Governments as well as relevant stakeholders to take immediate action to check the menace.
“While we acknowledge that death is inevitable, prevention is indeed better than cure. We urge the State and Federal Governments to restrict the passage of trucks and heavy-duty vehicles on the crusher-Felele Road from 6:00am to 7: pm.
“This measure will significantly reduce the risk of accidents during peak hours when students and other commuters are most vulnerable”, the statement added.
The Association also suggested creation and construction of a dedicated service line; Enactment and enforcement of stricter regulations on truck drivers, including regular medical checkups, rigorous training programmes, and stricter licensing requirements.
It also urged the Federal Government to “Implement a nationwide system for monitoring and tracking truck drivers’ hours of service, speed, and other safety metrics.
“Provide adequate funding for the maintenance and rehabilitation of Federal highways to prevent accidents caused by poor road conditions.
“Collaborate with State Governments to establish dedicated truck lanes and restrict truck movement during peak hours”, SSANU further suggested.
The Association also called on law enforcement agencies including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), to among others, Increase patrols and surveillance on Federal highways to deter reckless driving.
“Enforce existing traffic laws and regulations, including speed limits, traffic signals, and right-of-way rules; Impose stiff penalties, including fines, license suspension, and prosecution, on truck drivers found guilty of traffic violations” the statement added.
Meanwhile, students of the University have barricaded the main gate to the Felele campus of the institution preventing movement of staff and students into and out that the campus.
According to one of the students, the barricade is to further help enforce the 72-hour suspension of activities on the campus. “Honestly, we are here at the gate, we are not violent and we have not moved out of the gate to attack anybody or anything.
“The Deputy Governor of the State, Joel Oyibo Salihu was here yesterday with the State Security Adviser, the Education Commissioner and some others and they did promise to give us some palliatives. We are also waiting for them”, the Source said. (Ends)