RSG Begins Prosecution Of Transit Mixers, Others

The Rivers State Ministry of Works has announced commencement of action against owners/operators of Transit Mixers found spilling concrete on roads within the state.
The ministry said that such action shall include seizure of the defaulting vehicle and prosecution of owners/operators effective February 1, 2022.
A statement signed by the state Commissioner for Works, ‘EllokaTasie-Amadi, said, “Other acts which cause damage to public roads shall also be made a subject of prosecution under these regulations”.
He listed the regulations to include, “S.172 of the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012 (made pursuant to the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act 2007 LFN) provides for seizure of vehicles pending assessment and payment for repairs for any damage to public roads.
“S.172(1) (c) No driver of a vehicle or person shall on a public road ‘use any vehicle or thing or move any vehicle or thing on the roadway in a manner causing or likely to cause damage thereto’.
“S.172.(2) Where any structural damage has been done to any road or to any street or traffic light by a person or persons (whether or not the person or persons has or have been charged with the offense of causing such damage or with any other offense under the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, 2007 or any other law).
“The appropriate authority shall recover the cost of making good such damage from the person or persons that caused or that is responsible for the damage, the owner or driver of the vehicle or the thing that caused the damage or all of them jointly.
“S.172(3) Where damage is caused as aforesaid the appropriate authority or any person acting under its authority shall seize the motor vehicle or thing involved in the damage.
“S.172(4) The cost of making good the damage shall be assessed and certified in writing by the appropriate authority or any person acting under its authority.
“S.172(5) Any vehicle or vehicles or thing seized pursuant to sub-regulation (2) of this regulation shall be detained until the amount of the cost of making good the damage as certified under sub-regulation (3) of this regulation has been paid in the manner prescribed.
“S.231 Appropriate authority includes the Commission, Nigerian Police Force, Licensing Authorities, Vehicle Inspection Officers, Director, Federal Public Roads, Director of Engineering, Ministry of Works of States, Local Government supervisory Councillors of Works, Security Agencies.
“Public road means any road, street or thoroughfare or any other place (whether a thoroughfare or not which is commonly used by the public or any section thereof or to which the public or any section thereof has a right of access.”

By: Amadi Akujobi