There is crisis on the Otedola Bridge in the Alausa/Berger area of Lagos State as another tanker has caught fire.
For residents and other road users, it is another taker fire too many as the incident has caused panic, gridlock and frustrations.
Many motorists and commuters are stranded as the bridge connects key areas of the state and its surroundings.
It has hooked those coming and going to Lagos Island, Magodo, Ikeja, Oshodi on the one hand, and those from and to Ogun, Oyo and many other states.
On several occasions, tankers and other long vehicles have caused havoc on the bridge, named after Otedola Estate, named after a former Governor, Otedola, father of popular billionaire, Femi Otedola.
Accidents at the scene have become so rampant that some with superstitious tendencies have suggested that there might be more than meet they eyes there.
But common sense also points to the fact that the geography of the bridge, which is sloppy even as it ticklishly bends, harbours a trap.
Incidentally, a part of it around a Mobil filling station there, is being reconstructed.
Some other recent accidents on the bridge, according to Wikipedia:
On September 20, 2019, a diesel tanker fell off while driving along the Otedola bridge.
On October 10, a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of fuel driving towards Berger had an accident resulting in fuel spillage on the road. Four victims were said to have sustained injuries due to the accident according to Lagos State Emergency Management Agency.
On, October 12, 2019, a tanker with full capacity of 45000 litres of petrol fell at the Otedola bridge. The fuel was immediately transloaded by Lagos State Emergency Management Agency to avoid explosion while causing major traffic.
On, October 17, 2020, around 2-2:30am, A Container Truck loaded with fabric collided with the a Petrol Tanker, both vehicles were completely razed in the fire caused as a result of the collision. According to the Lagos State Police Command’s Public Relations officer Muyiwa Adejobi, There was no Human casualty, and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and Lagos State Fire Fighters put off the flames before dawn.
