Ekiti State Government gives Tipper Drivers Association One Week ultimatum!!!
The Ekiti State Government has given a one-week ultimatum to Tipper Drivers Association in the State to shun operational practices that could cause environmental hazards to the society.
Speaking in Ado Ekiti during a meeting with the leadership of the Association, the Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Hon. Biodun Omoleye noted that the operations of tipper drivers have created environmental hazards as well as loss of lives in the State hence the need for the government to regulate the activities of the Association.
Omoleye who lamented that a lot of avoidable accidents traceable to the recklessness of some tipper drivers have brought the Association under serious public scrutiny stated that the tipper drivers must henceforth cover their trucks as stone and sand-laden uncovered trucks poses serious health threat to passers-by and motorists especially motorcyclists.
He said most times, pebbles from trucks drop and block the views of commercial motorcyclists, thereby resulting in needless accidents.
“When they carry their quarry, they often don’t cover the truck and this is unsafe for passers-by and of course, for other motorists particularly the Okada riders. More often than not, most of this pebbles drop on okada riders such that the particles block their views and resulting in a needless accident.
“We have addressed their Association and they have agreed to go back and inform their members that Government has given them one week of grace from today 1st of March to comply with the coverage of all tippers carrying sand. Otherwise, such vehicles will be impounded and once it is impounded, heavy fine will be paid as sanction”, he said.
Omoleye who noted that some of the operational sites of the association have become objects of environmental hazards disclosed that Government would embark on enlightenment programmes that would further educate the tipper drivers on how they can operate within the ambits of the law.
In his response, the Chairman of the Quarry Association in the State, Mr. Adameji Olabanji appreciated the Government for recognising their Union and assured that members of the Association would comply with the directive within the one week ultimatum given to them.
Present at the meeting were Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Mobilisation ,Prince Tunji Ogunlola, SA on Women Mobilisation, Mrs Afolabi Yemisi, SA on Informal Sector, Aladeloye Adedeji, Hon Olufemi Olarewaju, Mr Tokunbo Alokan amongst others.