The Federal Government is considering the reintroduction of weighbridges on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to curb overloading by trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles and improve road safety.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olufemi Dare, disclosed this on Tuesday during a joint press briefing with the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, at Otedola Bridge in Lagos.
The announcement followed a tanker fire beneath the bridge on Monday, which renewed concerns over the safety of motorists and the condition of vehicles operating along the busy expressway.
Dare said the Federal Ministry of Works would submit a proposal to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, within a week for consideration of weighbridges as part of plans to upgrade the highway with continuously reinforced concrete pavement.
He explained that the facilities would help authorities monitor the weight of trucks, enforce loading limits and inspect the braking systems of articulated vehicles.
“Within the next week, we will present a proposal to the minister to see how weighbridges can be incorporated into the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway,” Dare said.
On the tanker fire, the controller said preliminary reports indicated that a fully loaded tanker rolled backwards and fell beneath the bridge after colliding with another vehicle.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Works would conduct a comprehensive structural assessment to determine the bridge’s condition following the incident.
Dare identified reckless driving, poor vehicle maintenance and the removal of public infrastructure as some of the factors contributing to road accidents along the expressway.
He disclosed that more than 100 solar lights had reportedly been removed from the highway, while indiscriminate parking by truck drivers and the theft of road infrastructure remained major concerns.
To address the challenges, he said an expanded stakeholders’ meeting would be held in mid-November, bringing together motorists, traditional rulers, security agencies from Lagos and Ogun states, and other relevant parties.
The controller commended the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and other emergency responders for their prompt intervention during the tanker fire.
Also speaking, Osiyemi described the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway corridor as an area frequently associated with road accidents, noting that poor driving habits and inadequate vehicle maintenance contributed to the problem.
The commissioner said the tanker incident was reportedly linked to improper vehicle maintenance, stressing the need for stronger enforcement of road safety standards.
He called for closer collaboration between Lagos and Ogun states to address traffic violations, indiscriminate truck parking and other safety concerns along the corridor.
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Osiyemi disclosed that the two states had obtained approval from the Minister of Works to organise a broader stakeholders’ meeting involving their transportation commissioners, commissioners of police and other relevant authorities.
He also supported the proposed introduction of weighbridges, noting that some heavy-duty vehicles operating on the expressway were overloaded or unsuitable for the route.
“We need weighbridges, and without that agreement, it might be tough because the corridor is one that requires collaboration,” he said.
The commissioner urged truck owners and transport unions to educate drivers on vehicle maintenance and safe driving practices.
He added that the Lagos State Government had commenced its ember-month road safety campaign and deployed additional personnel to help reduce accidents during the period.
Osiyemi advised motorists to prioritise safety over speed, warning against reckless driving in an attempt to reach their destinations quickly.
“It is better to travel and get to our destinations later and safely than trying to rush and die in the process,” he said.
He further disclosed that a report available to him indicated that one person sustained burn injuries in the tanker fire and was receiving treatment in a hospital.
Although Osiyemi said the bridge was safe for use based on the controller’s assessment, a comprehensive structural test was still expected to establish its condition.
Other officials present at the briefing included the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, and the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Wale Musa.
The proposed weighbridges, if approved, would form part of broader efforts to tackle overloading, improve vehicle compliance and enhance safety along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.