In less than 3years since Dagote plc started it's excavation of stones and rock in Ijebu-igbo, fear has heightened in the minds of the indigenes of the largest town in Ijebu-North. Ordinarily it was expected to be considered a welcome development, the presence of the company in the town has in reverse increased unnecessary cautiousness among citizens; not because of any other reason than the fact that any mistake by drivers of the trucks used to convey the materials, leads to either death or destruction of properties.
As a matter of generality, trailer drivers all over Nigeria pose a deadly risk amongst pedestrians, car/cab drivers, bike rider's among others, because according to research the truck drivers are most of the time, lackadaisical when they grab the wheels, pulling on the cloak of carelessness. They see themselves as Kings of the road. One of them said, "other vehicles are like ants that need to be crushed when I am on high speed and need to meet a certain destination deadline."
The cause of this is clear. No real traffic regulations regulates the speed limits of this 'Killers'. The government has not set aside certain laws that control when they should be on the road and their speed limit; reason why they drive recklessly and get their trucks blood-drenched when the orator is high.
Looking at the consequences, one will know that the nation has been hit by stones that touch when it comes to dangote truck drivers.
Just recently in Ijebu-igbo, a reporter shared pictures of an accident that happened around 2:00a.m. The truck destroyed cars, high-powered poles and houses. Before people gathered round, the driver had reportedly disappeared. This occurrence caused the town to be in darkness for about a week.
Obviously the fact that dangote plc is increasing it's wealth and in turn, wreaking havoc on indigenes cannot be denied. Hence, the need for the grassroot government officials to cry out loud to the state government before the matter escalates and nothing would be able to change the narrative.
FRSC and OGROMA needs to also look into the situation. Reviving saneness on roads in Ijebu-North is equally tantamount to spairing lives of indigenes and leaving properties unscathed. If this traffic and road regulators come in with full force, meeting with the directors of the company sited in the town, then a logical conclusion can be aimed at. This would definitely take away the spirit of fright and everyone would be able to cross and walk along the road without gory imagination of being crushed by a supposedly drunk, ignorant or sleeping driver.
The police should be alert and prosecute accordingly any suspect found to have committed such offence as their would serve as a deterrent for others.
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