Plummeting of Containers: For How Long?

Tears more than rain drops keep dropping from my eyes, each time I watch the video clip of the tragedy that befell late Monica Onokah. According to the reports, it was learnt that she was involved in a fatal accident which happened at Mile 2 bus stop by Festac town in Lagos. A container truck fell and crushed her legs in the process as she was about boarding a bike, she later gave up the ghost few minutes later due to uncontrolled bleeding. It’s so debilitating that such a beautiful, hardworking lady, was crushed and sent to early grave as a result of a container truck that plummeted on her.

It saddens me that her case was not the first, lives have been lost due to the carelessness and recklessness of these container truck drivers, whom I believe could be under the influence of toxic substance while driving or probably not taking time to ensure that their containers are properly tied to their truck using a chain and grab hook, before plying the road. We’ve read and witnessed several others who have lost their lives as a result of the incessant falling of containers.

For how long are we going to keep quiet and fold our hands? Victims of these ugly scenario may not be a member of our family, they may not be a friend but let me state here that, they have family members, these late victims could be bread winners, they could be shouldering so many responsibilities, they could be playing key roles that are not just within the confinement of their families but in the society at large…how long will this unforeseen cataclysm continue?

I can recall vividly that directives were given by the former governor of Lagos state (Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN), that container truck drivers should ply the road at a stipulated time, but as it is now, it shows that such directives are not obeyed let to talk of implementation. Again, I asked myself, could it be that the various government authorities don’t listen to news or could it be an “I don’t care attitude?” Well, I am not in the position to judge, but whatever may be the case, I feel it’s high time these menace is mitigated. Bearing in mind that the risk these containers possess is high. I feel setting up a Monitoring and Control Agency for container drivers will go a long way to reduce the death rate or accidents on the road. Failure of compliance by these drivers, should result to payment of fine or more stringent punishments.

Life is short, there is no point making someone’s life shorter due to laxity on the part of these container truck drivers. Inasmuch as we cherish our lives, we should bear in mind that no one knows who the next person will be, it’s about time we speak out, watching that lady die in excruciating pains is unbearable. May the soul of the departed rest in peace.

If there is any time to speak and act, then the time in now...Enough is enough!