The operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), led by Zebra Akinde Olusola, on Saturday, averted a fire disaster around stadium bridge inward Ojuelegba area of Lagos.

This was contained in a statement signed by the director, public affairs and enlightenment department of LASTMA, Taoqik Adebayo, on Saturday in Lagos.

He said that Mr Olusola of Zone 3, Iponri area of Surulere, had confirmed that a truck ladened with gas, with registration no KRD 281 XL hit the newly erected barrier by the Lagos state government at Alaka inward stadium.

Mr Olusola confirmed further that in an attempt for the gas truck to force itself under the newly erected barrier, its content (gas) spilt on the main carriage by Alaka inward stadium bridge.

According to Mr Olusola, “immediately the incident occurred, LASTMA officials quickly invited other emergency responders, particularly the Lagos State Fire Service and cordoned off the main carriageway at Alaka by stadium bridge for motorists to avert any fire outbreak”.

“While the driver of the truck was arrested and handed over to Policemen from Area ‘C’ Divisional Police Station, vehicular movement was diverted to service lane from Alaka, to continue their movement inward Ojuelegba by LASTMA officials,” Mr Olusola said.

The general manager of LASTMA, Bolaji Oreagba, said that the newly erected barrier at stadium bridge was to divert heavy trucks to service lane from Alaka inward stadium down to Ojuelegba.

Mr Oreagba, however, enjoined heavy truck drivers to always use the service lane whenever they were embarking on any journey around stadium to Ojuelegba area of Lagos.

He urged the public to contact LASTMA hotlines 08100565860/ 08129928513 in case of any traffic gridlock, comment and observation.

(NAN)