Should Lagos State restrict the movement of trucks to night? 

I do not think this is the solution to all the problems caused by trucks. I would advise the government to ensure simple common sense and inexpensive remedial interventions should be taken into action. It is common knowledge that there are too many rickety vehicles on our roads. Most of the tyres of trucks are worn out; some are in a state of disrepair and not road worthy just as their brakes are suspect. To worsen matters, the drivers of a good number of these trucks/trailers and tankers are most often either drunk or half asleep behind the wheels. What is of great concern is the frequent explosions of tankers carrying fuel. So, many of the trucks/trailers/tankers need to be checked periodically before going on the road. I believe this will curb the situation because the truth is whether we like it or not, either trucks are allowed to move during the day or at night. What is happening during the day can also happen at night. The owners of the trucks should be issued a document or something to identify each truck, so it can be easy for the government to impound the truck and sanction the owner for any damage done and by doing so, it will go a long way.

It is a good development because the traffic congestion caused by the trucks is always unbearable and even the rampant killing of people through accident is nothing to write home about. Trucks moving at night are a way to curb traffic and accidents on the highway.

The constant presence of trucks parking indiscriminately on our roads is becoming unbearable. These trucks are not only damaging new construction work but also causing incessant gridlocks. That some of these trailers are parked with full cement dead weight and abandoned on the road shoulder not only in Lagos but also in other major cities across is damaging as well as a major risk to other road users. However, it is not only the manner these articulated vehicles are parked on the road that poses a menace, the manner they are driven is also a major problem. For years, many Nigerians have been at the mercy of these killer-drivers whose reckless driving on the road has claimed the lives of numerous innocent citizens. These drivers have no regard for traffic rules and regulations and under the cover of a strong union that goes on strike at the slightest excuse; they have become laws unto themselves. The manner in which they go about terrorising other road users had always left the public wondering whether these drivers were under some instruction to break the rules of civilised conduct. If moving at night time is the best way to go to avoid all these incessant gridlock and killings, then the law should be implemented as soon as possible.

Government have been saying they will ban trucks from moving during the day for a very long time but no action at all. The issue is there should be a law on placing the ban, trucks breaking down on the road, causing gridlock or any accident should be impounded and put on auction and I would also suggest that they should not be allowed to ply on streets of residential areas. Trucks should move on the road/highway only.

It is a welcome development if only the government can take action. I will suggest that not all trucks should be allowed to move at night, they can move according to their urgent need at the port or to deliver the consignment to the owner. That means, a clearance should be given to each driver to ensure that the truck has been cleared at the port before moving in the first place. Also, there should be security officers at the port to ensure that all the clearing and pass is given to the right driver and not just anyone.

The truth is either trucks moving during the day or at night is not the point. Until the Lagos State government in partnership with Federal government gives room for the establishment of other ports in Nigeria, the gridlock on our roads will never go away.

If this is going to be sustainable, then it will be a great relieve for everyone. I have been wondering why this rule has not been implemented all these years. This will ensure that there will be minimal gridlock on our roads; roads won’t be damaged easily and on time, less of accidents causing loss of lives and tanker explosions.

The restriction of movement of trucks from 9pm to 6am will affect the system of port basically and also what happens to the security of people’s investment at night. I want to urge the government to ensure movement of trucks on railways, which means that trucks leaving the port will not ply on our roads and by that there will be no gridlock, loss of lives and road damage.

If the Lagos State government is able to achieve this, then it will be a thumbs-up. There should be a stringent law for this and truck drivers/owners that do not respect the law should be dealt with and the seriousness of the government on this will make others believe it is a serious matter. By the time security operatives start towing the trucks that violates the law and auction them to the lowest bidder. That may drive home the seriousness of the state government to end the gridlock and menace these trucks are causing on our roads.