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| Mr Joseph Odiase |
An importer and truck owner, Mr Joseph
Odiase, on Thursday urged the Lagos State Government (LASG) to suspend its
policy restricting the movement of container -laden trucks between 6.a.m. and 9
p.m.
Odiase, on Thursday urged the Lagos State Government (LASG) to suspend its
policy restricting the movement of container -laden trucks between 6.a.m. and 9
p.m.
Odiase, who made the plea in an
interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said the restriction
order, which excluded tankers carrying petroleum products was discriminatory.
interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said the restriction
order, which excluded tankers carrying petroleum products was discriminatory.
He said there was nowhere in the world
that trucks were restricted to move only at night, adding that the policy was
like closing the ports which served as gateways to the nation’s economy.
that trucks were restricted to move only at night, adding that the policy was
like closing the ports which served as gateways to the nation’s economy.
The truck operators advised government
agencies concerned with traffic control to live up to their responsibilities to
reduce accidents.
agencies concerned with traffic control to live up to their responsibilities to
reduce accidents.
“Lagos State Government should suspend
that policy and seek for an all-inclusive contribution from all the
stakeholders because it is not right to close the gateway to the economy of
this nation.
that policy and seek for an all-inclusive contribution from all the
stakeholders because it is not right to close the gateway to the economy of
this nation.
“So much has been lost in this few
days and the truth of the matter is that the truck drivers, the importers, the
ship liners, the shipping agencies, they are the ones who are at a loss; and we
exporters and importers.
days and the truth of the matter is that the truck drivers, the importers, the
ship liners, the shipping agencies, they are the ones who are at a loss; and we
exporters and importers.
“There is no economy in the world that
runs its ports in nine hours; it is not done.
runs its ports in nine hours; it is not done.
“So, we need the Lagos State
Government to actually reverse that and let the various government agencies;
the VIOs, the Road Safety, the Police, let them do their jobs.
Government to actually reverse that and let the various government agencies;
the VIOs, the Road Safety, the Police, let them do their jobs.
“All these things we are talking about
will be put in place. The truck owners will be forced to repair their vehicles.
will be put in place. The truck owners will be forced to repair their vehicles.
“SON (Standards Organisation of
Nigeria) should do their job; they should check the importation of tyres
because the truth of the matter is that 100 per cent of tryes imported into
this country are all sub-standard.
Nigeria) should do their job; they should check the importation of tyres
because the truth of the matter is that 100 per cent of tryes imported into
this country are all sub-standard.
“I buy tyres for my trucks and you
will be surprised that we change tyres virtually every two months; tyres that
are supposed to last for a minimum of one year,” Odiase said.
will be surprised that we change tyres virtually every two months; tyres that
are supposed to last for a minimum of one year,” Odiase said.
He blamed the government for the
deplorable condition of the roads.
deplorable condition of the roads.
Odiase said people should not be made
to suffer over poor roads.
to suffer over poor roads.
