The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has issued a stern warning to commercial vehicle operators in the state, urging them not to transport flammable materials to guarantee passenger safety. The caution comes in the wake of a tragic incident on the Abeokuta-Sagamu expressway where 16 individuals lost their lives in a fire caused by a gas cylinder explosion in a white Mazda bus.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the Governor highlighted the preventable nature of the accident and stressed the importance of proper handling and transportation protocols for highly flammable substances like gas and petroleum products. He called upon the National Union of Road Transport Workers and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria to educate their members on the risks associated with transporting hazardous materials.
Expressing condolences to the victims’ families, the Governor emphasized the significance of community vigilance and adherence to safety regulations to avert similar tragedies in the future. He underscored the need for collaborative efforts among drivers, unions, and regulatory bodies to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and ensure passenger safety remains a top priority on the roads.