The Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun on Tuesday banned fuel tankers and other articulated vehicles from plying flyover bridges in the state.
Mr. Abiodun announced this decision during his assessment visit to the scene of the tanker explosion, which occurred in Abeokuta, claiming three lives with many others injured.
No fewer than five vehicles and two motorcycles were burnt in the incident that happened around IBB Boulevards in Abeokuta on Tuesday morning.
The governor also vowed that stiffer punishment would be meted out to any tanker driver found culpable, stressing that he
will discuss with the state Ministry of Transportation, thus begin the enforcement of ensuring that tankers plying our roads are well checked to see if they are road worthy or not.
According to him, the ban is meant to safeguard the lives and property of the citizens in view of recent explosions in different parts of the state.
The governor, however, confirmed the death of three persons in the tanker explosion, while six others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
He said the injured, who were badly burnt, had been taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba, and the state Hospital, Ijaye, both in Abeokuta.
“We have gone a step further by inviting burn specialists from Lagos to attend to those that have 80 to 90 percent burnt which requires special attention.
“The specialists have since arrived at Abeokuta. They will make a determination whether we are to transfer those with burns to the burn centre in Lagos.
“I will discuss with the state Ministry of Transportation, we will begin the enforcement of ensuring that tankers plying our roads are well checked to see if they are road worthy or not.
“We will put in place a very thick fine for any tanker driver found on any of these bridges.
“This, among other measures will be rolled out in the next one day or two days,” he declared.
