Why we bar trucks from flyovers: Adamawa govt allays public safety concern
Adamawa State Bans Heavy Trucks from Yola Flyovers for Safety Reasons
YOLA, Nigeria — In response to public concerns about flyover quality in the capital, the Adamawa State Government has implemented a ban on heavy trucks using these structures. Officials assert that the restriction is a safety measure aimed at preventing accidents.
Mohammed Suleiman, the State Commissioner for Works, addressed inquiries from reporters during a recent visit to his office, clarifying that the ban on heavy trucks is not due to structural limitations of the flyovers themselves. He emphasized that the decision aligns with global safety standards.
“We have documented instances of accidents around flyovers in the state that necessitate this precaution,” Suleiman noted.
The Jimeta area of Yola contains five flyover bridges, each equipped with barriers restricting access to low-profile vehicles. These measures explicitly prohibit trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles from using the flyovers.
Suleiman countered suggestions that height restrictions were due to concerns about structural integrity. He provided examples of heavy trucks that had become stranded on flyovers while fully loaded, inadvertently causing traffic hazards. “There have been cases where large vehicles broke down on the flyover, leading to severe injuries and fatalities for unsuspecting motorists,” he said.
He recounted two instances where the Federal Road Safety Corps towed fully loaded trucks off the flyovers, specifically one at the Total flyover and another at the Mubi Roundabout. In a particularly dangerous event, a 12-tyre truck that attempted to ascend the Total flyover lost control and overturned onto the roadway below, narrowly avoiding a major disaster, according to Suleiman.
“The street beneath was empty at the time. It was sheer luck that it didn’t result in tragedy,” he remarked.
Looking ahead, the commissioner expressed the necessity of relocating heavy vehicle traffic out of urban areas. The state government is advocating for the establishment of a dedicated trailer park outside the city to alleviate concerns stemming from heavy trucks traversing Yola’s streets.
