Ghastly trailer accident claims 6 injures 60 in kogi
* Kogi transportation commissioner condemns trailers conveying cows, passengers.
Godswill Julius
The Kogi state sector commander of FRSC Samuel Oyedeji has confirmed the death of 6 persons and 60 others that sustained various degrees of injuries in trailer accident that occurred on Tuesday in Lokoja, kogi state capital
The State sector commander said the accident happened around 3.00pm at the zone 8 junction in the outskirts of lokoja.
This is just as the state commissioner for transportation Atuluku Victor Levi has condemned the practice by some articulated drivers who are fond of conveying large numbers of passengers in their vehicles, saying the loss of these precious lives was unnecessary as there was nothing obstructive to cause the accident.
He said henceforth, articulated vehicles crisscrossing the state would be sanctioned if discovered to be carrying large numbers of persons in their vehicles.
While sympathising with the victims, he noted that the state government will put measures in place to checkmate those conveying humans and cows together.
” In fact the accident was uncalled for. The zone 8 junction has just been reconstructed by the state government . There was no obstruction and again why should a driver in his right senses be carrying close to hundred persons in a trailer meant for haulage of goods.
” We will not accept this primitiveness. We will ensure that all vehicles plying our roads conforms to our safety code.” He said
He further disclosed that Semiams Fleets Management,the towing consultant of the Kogi State Ministry of Transportation was quick to clear the road and tow the crashed trailer to the Lokoja Mega Terminal yard.
“Semiams has been proactive in removing broken down trucks and trailers causing obstructions in the State capital and environs with the appropriate bookings leading to fines paid to the Kogi State Government via the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS)
“The level of casualties was worsened by cows and several people the trailer carried together”
Meanwhile the sector commander attributed the accident to high speed and brake failure.
“Our officers in collaboration with the police and NSCDC personnel have rushed the injured to Kogi specialist Hospital and Federal University Teaching Hospital Lokoja for medical attention.
“The six dead bodies have also been deposited at the Federal University Teaching Hospital Lokoja
“We leant that the truck from Bauchi was heading to Enugu state before the unfortunate incident happened in Kogi, ” Oyedeji said.
