'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in a decisive response to the increasing number of accidents involving Dangote trucks has mandated the immediate re-inspection and recertification of Dangote's entire fleet nationwide. This directive follows a tragic incident on the Nyanya-Maraba highway that resulted in five fatalities and 14 injuries.
The Corps Marshal, Malam Shehu Mohammed, issued the order on Thursday through a statement by the Acting Corps Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olusegun Ogungbemide. The crash, which occurred on Wednesday at 8:40 PM, involved ten vehicles, including a Dangote truck transporting cement. The investigation revealed that the truck experienced brake failure and was speeding, which led to the driver losing control and crashing into several vehicles.
"From the analysis concerning the cause of the crash, the Dangote trailer which was conveying a full load of cement had a brake failure," Mohammed stated. "The driver lost control of the wheels while exceeding the prescribed legal speed limit on that road, before crashing into the vehicles."
In light of this, the FRSC has ordered the Road Transport Safety Standardisation Office (RTSSO) to ensure strict compliance with safety standards across the Dangote fleet. Immediate measures have also been taken to clear the road of the accident's obstructions, and the truck operator is facing prosecution.
The crash had a significant toll, with 19 victims involved, including 15 male adults and four female adults. Of these, 14 males sustained various degrees of injuries, including cuts, fractures, and bruises. The deceased, consisting of four males and one female, were transported to Karu General Hospital Morgue after being confirmed dead by doctors. Injured victims were rescued and taken to Nyanya General Hospital, Asokoro General Hospital, and the National Hospital, Abuja.
The vehicles involved in the crash were an ash-colored Toyota Corolla (RSH-633-FB), a red Volkswagen Golf without a registration number, a black Volkswagen Golf 3 (AF160-KAC), another red Volkswagen Golf 3 (SML-199AA), a silver-colored 406 Peugeot (YAB-307AF), a green Volkswagen Golf (ABC-846ZW), and three unregistered Bajaj Boxer motorcycles.
This latest incident underscores the urgent need for stringent measures to prevent future accidents involving heavy-duty vehicles. The FRSC's directive for nationwide recertification of Dangote trucks aims to enhance safety standards and avert further tragedies on the nation's roads.
.jpeg)
