By IBIRONKE ARIYO

The Kogi State Government has banned daytime movement of heavy-duty vehicles due to the high rate of accidents.

Dr. Yusuf Suberu, the Senior Special Assistant to the Kogi Governor on Road Safety Matters, announced the ban in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Suberu confirmed that the directive followed extensive consultations with transport stakeholders, law enforcement agencies, and road safety experts.

He said that the move was to address the alarming frequency of road crashes involving articulated vehicles in the state.

“According to the new regulation, these categories of vehicles are now permitted to operate only between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. within the state.

“The decision comes on the heels of a recent tragic road crash involving multiple heavy-duty vehicles, which have claimed several lives and left many others with life-threatening injuries.

“This regulation is a necessary response to the devastating incidents we have witnessed. It is a strategic measure to reduce road crashes and save lives. The safety of Kogi citizens is paramount,” he said.

Suberu said that Kogi, positioned as a central transit corridor for north-south bound vehicular movement, sees high volumes of traffic daily.

This, he said was particularly from long-distance trailers and tankers conveying fuel, goods, and raw materials across Nigeria.

“This has, over the years, contributed to congestion, road deterioration, and frequent accidents, “he said.

Suberu noted that the new law was not only a preventive safety intervention, but also part of Kogi’s alignment with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety and Injury Prevention.

This, he said, is targeted at a 50 per cent reduction in road traffic deaths by 2030.

“This is in line with global best practices. We must adopt forward-looking solutions that prioritize human life over profit and convenience.

“We urge all operators of heavy-duty vehicles, including transport companies, logistics firms, independent drivers, and unions to adhere strictly to the new operational timeframe.

“Enforcement agencies have been directed to ensure full implementation and monitoring of compliance,” he said.

Suberu emphasised the need for public cooperation, stressing that the success of the policy depends on the joint efforts of government, private sector stakeholders, and the general motoring public.

He assured that awareness campaigns would commence across all Local Government Areas to educate road users about the regulation.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility. We call on every stakeholder to support this life-saving policy. We can no longer afford to normalize loss of lives on our roads.

“Special attention would be given to high-risk routes and densely populated areas such as Ganaja Junction, Zango, Felele, and Itobe, among others.

“Transport unions including NARTO, NUPENG, and the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) are expected to play key roles in sensitizing their members and ensuring internal compliance mechanisms are strengthened.

“Kogi must not be a death trap. Our goal is a safer, more orderly transport system where every journey begins and ends safely,” he said.

The road safety expert reiterated that the new policy was part of a larger road safety reform agenda being implemented under the current administration.

This, he said which included improved traffic signage, better enforcement coordination, road maintenance, and driver re-certification programs. (NAN)