The Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority (OYRTMA) has allayed public concerns over the protracted neglect of a fallen container near Efunsetan Roundabout, Challenge, Ibadan.
Addressing journalists at the scene on Tuesday, the Executive Chairman of the Authority, Mogaji Akin Fagbemi Ph.D explained that the fallen container results from a road traffic crash involving the trailer conveying it and another vehicle, adding that the police had assumed responsibility of the incident scene with investigations ongoing to unravel the cause of the accident.
According to the OYRTMA Boss, “The unladed but fully-loaded container fell off a low bed trailer that was involved in an accident with another vehicle about ten days ago.
“Because it was an accident, the police took over the case from our officers and began investigations with assurances that arrangements would be concluded in a short time to evacuate the container.
“The police had removed the low bed trailer and allowed the owners to remove the goods in the container.
“Considering the hazards the container portends to the motoring public, our management team met with the Divisional Police Officer, Felele Division yesterday and the Police regretted their inability to remove the container.
“We have therefore assumed the responsibility of evacuating the container as soon as possible.
“OYRTMA is aware of the danger it poses to motorists along the route. This is the reason we have a deployed a standby team of officers to continuously be at the scene to direct traffic flow and maintain law and order while the police wraps up their investigations.
“The public is to note that by statute, the Police has the responsibility to investigate accidents, its impacts and causes whenever it so occurs. Additionally, the non-availability of a crane with the capacity to lift such tonnage of objects is another reason for the delay in evacuation.
“We have reached out to some private crane service providers and we can assure you that the container will be removed within the shortest possible time”, Fagbemi said.
Fagbemi further called on commuters along the route to drive slowly and carefully as men and officers of the Authority shall remain at the scene pending when evacuation process of the container is completed and normalcy returned.
“While we regret the inconveniences this has caused commuters along the axis, motorists are strongly enjoined to cooperate with our officials to avoid any road traffic crash at the scene”, he concluded.
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