Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, on Thursday, paid a condolence visit to Epe Township over the unfortunate traffic accident that occurred on Monday, November 11, 2024, which claimed some lives, while others sustained varied degrees of injuries.
Addressing the Press after a Special Prayer session organized in memory of the accident Victims, Dr. Hamzat stated that to prevent accidents, it is crucial for both the government and the citizens to take certain actions to ensure the safety of all users.
According to Dr. Hamzat, the safety of citizens is a collaborative effort, adding that citizens must support the government and traffic officials when taking action against reckless driving, overloading unnecessarily, overspeeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol, noting that these are the major causes of accidents.
“We just want to appeal to people to always be patient. However, certain actions must be taken to prevent such occurrences. The cause of this unfortunate incident, may not be unconnected to reckless driving, overloading, and negligence. Therefore, when some actions are taken by the government or traffic officials, it is wrong to bring sentiment that, wouldn’t they eat. This is not right to say,” said Hamzat.
Highlighting what the State government has been doing in curbing reckless driving, he noted that the State has an agency called Lagos State Drivers Institute which trains, retrains, and recertifies professional drivers to be able to drive safely on the road to avoid unnecessary accidents.
He added the agency has been partnering with companies that have trucks, especially with companies that have high trucks to ensure that they comply and their drivers visit the agency for proper training and certification before driving.
Hamzat said that nine of the accident victims have been discharged while some of them are taken to other hospitals for further treatment. He, therefore, prayed that Allah would give the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss and quick recovery for those who are injured.
In his remarks, a Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Representing Epe Constituency, Hon. Wale Raji stated that the citizens should look at the circumstances of what led to the incident and should also take a lesson from it, noting that proper maintenance of vehicles, obeying traffic rules, among others should be paramount to avoid such occurrences.
Hon. Raji stated that drivers must be held accountable for any of their actions while using the road, adding, “If a vehicle should hit someone and kill the person, we say it is God’s will. Such drivers must be held responsible for everything and there must be compensation for the people that are affected.” He commended the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation for its effective response all through the accident.
Also speaking, a Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Representing Epe Constituency I, Hon. Abiodun Tobun described the accident as painful and pathetic, adding that with grief in his heart, he commiserated with the families of the departed ones.
He added that the state government needs to improve and equip the activities of its rescue response team and also make provision for parking space for trailers to avoid parking anyhow. He stressed that trailers passing through the community in broad daylight is wrong and this has continued to endanger the lives of the citizens.
