The Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) on Thursday called for the total development of the
railway and waterways as alternative modes for container transportation.
President of the association, Capt. Saib Olopoenia made the call at a news conference held by the association at its secretariat in Apapa, Lagos to look into the challenges causing container-laden trucks to pose dangers on the nation’s highways.
Recall that the Lagos State Government came up with a restriction order on trucks, following the frequent accidents involving trucks in the state.
Olopopenia urged the government to work to encourage the use of inland container depots.
He said this would save truck drivers and owners the problems that follow regular broken down trucks that cause traffic jam, loss of man-hour , exposure to hoodlums, theft and pilfering of consignment.
Speaking on solutions to problems associated with the dangers posed by containers and trucks on the highways, Olopoenia said government should ensure the installation of weigh bridges at designated points to ascertain load capacity trucks carry.
He also said that all traffic management officers including the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Police and
LASTMA should be responsible to their duties.
He charged truck drivers and owners to ensure proper distribution of weight inside the container, use of
lashing of containers, container twist locks and hooks container belt, wire and chain to secure the containers.
He said a number of safety measures must be taken to avoid accidents claiming innocent lives.
“Traffic control officers should ensure that loaded trucks do not pass Western Avenue, because
it is not for container carrying trucks.
“All trucks should have complaint telephone number. Any tilted or bent trucks should be parked off the road,” Olopoenia said.
He also warned that the same checks must be observed with petroleum-laden tankers to avoid wobbling that could upturn the tanker and cause accidents.
