The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Olalekan Bakare-Oki, has stated that the driver of the diesel tanker that overturned on the Apapa bridge, inward Mile 2, will face sanctions following investigations into the incident.
On Monday, a diesel-laden tanker overturned on the busy bridge, spilling fuel across the roadway and causing major traffic disruption. Videos circulating on social media showed residents collecting diesel from the fallen tanker, despite the risk of fire or explosion.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday, Bakare-Oki said the Nigeria Police Force is leading investigations and assured that the driver would be held accountable.
“It is the responsibility of the Nigerian police to investigate all accidents. I am very sure the investigations are ongoing now. I cannot preempt the decision of the investigation, but I can assure you the driver will not go unpunished,” he said.
He added that emergency agencies acted quickly to prevent further danger once the tanker was removed from the bridge.
“Immediately the tanker was removed, the whole area was cleared. Even the Lagos State Fire Service had to spend extra hours ensuring that they cleared all the spilled fuel in order to avert a fire incident,” Bakare-Oki explained.
Regarding the cause of the crash, he said LASTMA is awaiting the outcome of police investigations and has not established any preliminary findings.
“We’ll await the decision of the police investigation,” he stated, noting that his agency has no initial conclusions on the accident.
However, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has attributed the crash to brake failure. In a statement on Monday, the agency’s Comptroller-General, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed that the tanker lost control before skidding off the bridge.
She added that the swift response of emergency services helped avert a major disaster on the heavily trafficked Apapa route, a key access road to Nigeria’s busiest seaport.