The Nation Newspaper

Tag: vehicle

  • Vehicle runs into worshippers, kills three, injures others in Ogun

    Vehicle runs into worshippers, kills three, injures others in Ogun

    Three persons – two Muslim worshippers and a police officer, were on Friday killed and about a dozen of others injured when a truck carrying logs of wood  crashed into worshippers returning home after the Eid-El Kabir prayer in  Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State.

    The Nation gathered that  the driver of the truck lost control of his wheel, veered off his lane  and dashed into the pedestrians’ side, killing the two worshippers on the spot while others sustained various degrees of injuries.

    The Nation learnt further that the incident touched off the ire of a mob who spared no time in bids to lynch the driver, but was rescued by Policemen from the Ijebu – Igbo Police Divisional Headquarters.

    However, one of the policemen, identified as Joseph Adejuwon  who participated in the rescue operation for the driver, was not that lucky : the angry mob clubbed him to death.

    An Operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC) who does not want to be identified by name said two pedestrians were killed on the spot.

    “I learnt the crash occurred with  a truck overrunning two worshippers at Ijebu igbo and killed the two of then  on the  spot. I learnt  mob (gathered) and  became irate even preventing security operatives access to the scene and FRSC advised by the Divisional Police Officer  to stay away  pending the time the situation will be under  control,” he said.

    Also, the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who has  confirmed the incident to reporters, said officer that was killed was an orderly to a Divisional Police Officer.

    Oyeyemi added that  the driver has been arrested.

     

  • Two held for ‘vehicle theft’

    A driver, Godwin Okpe and his conductor, Dare Shobola, who allegedly stole a vehicle valued at N850,000 were yesterday arraigned in an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos.

    Okpe, 53, and Shobola, 30, are standing trial on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

    The defendants who live at Agbado in Ogun, however, pleaded not guilty and were admitted to N250,000 bail each with two sureties each in the like sum.

    Magistrate O. J. Awope adjourned the case till July 17 for mention.

    Prosecuting Inspector Ezekiel Ayorinde had told the court that the defendants committed the offence on June 12 at Abule-Egba, Lagos.

    He said the accused persons conspired to steal a vehicle valued at N850,000 property of one Mr Akeem Jolaosho.

    “The accused stole the complainant’s Ford bus,” he said.

    Ayorinde said that the complainant gave his bus to the defendants, after some days, the accused persons told him that the vehicle was stolen from where it was parked.

    “The accused persons called the complainant to inform him that thieves had stolen his bus.

    “The complainant suspected a foul play, he handed over the accused persons to the police,” he said.

    The offences contravened Sections 287 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

  • Driver arraigned for ‘damaging vehicle’s parts valued at N4.4m’

    A 33-year-old driver, Julius Orioke, who allegedly damaged some parts of his company’s articulated vehicle valued at N4.4million was yesterday granted N500,000 bail by an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

    Orioke had pleaded not guilty to the charge of damage.

    Magistrate J.A Adigun also asked the accused to produce two sureties as part of the bail conditions.

    Prosecuting Sergeant Godwin Awaze said the accused committed the offence on April 12 at Guinness Compound, Agege in Lagos.

    He said the accused damaged the parts of his company’s articulated vehicle valued at N4.4million, property of Transnational Haulage Ltd.

    “The accused damage the axle, chassis and beam and three tyres, the parts damaged was N4.4million,” he said.

    Awaze said the accused committed the offence while engaging in an illegal business with the vehicle.

    “The accused was entrusted with a truck loaded with Guinness products to transport to Port-Harcourt from Lagos.

    “After offloading the goods, he unlawfully transported illegal petroleum chemical goods from Port-Harcourt to Onitsha without the company’s consent.

    “In the process, the accused damaged some parts of the trailer,” he said.

    The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 351of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015(Revised).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 351 prescribes two years’ jail term for damage.

    The case was adjourned until July 3.

  • Vehicle assembly opens in Enugu

    Vehicle assembly opens in Enugu

    A new vehicle assembly plant set up by Peace Mass Transit (PMT) Ltd, has gone into operation. This is the first of such plants by a transport company in Nigeria. The plant, located in the Emene Industrial Layout headquarters of the company, has rolled out about 100 units of the improved version of the Peace Hiace brand of commuter buses in its first production. The transport company, which last month celebrated its 20 years of existence, injects a minimum of 600 buses into its fleet every year.

    The new assembly plant is expected to augment the supply needs of the company, for a start.

    Toyota Hummer buses, Ugama Hiace, and the resilient Peace Hiace are some of the popular brands in the PMT fleet and are being assembled at the plant.

    The locally assembled Peace Hiace buses have been fitted with improved features for optimum performance, safety and comfort of passengers, including rear Air Conditioner, speed limiter device, T.V, Electronic Brake Device (EBD), and Automatic Brake System (ABS).

    PMT Director of Operations, Chidubem Ugwu who took reporters round the plant explained that, for now the transport company would buy up the entire units assembled in its local assembly plant and that the internal (PMT) demand would still outstrip the supply.

    According to him: “PMT injects at least 600 vehicles into its fleet every year, in a robust, unique fleet renewal programme which has seen it grow into the biggest shuttle bus company in Nigeria in the 20 years of its existence.

    “There are at least 2,000 PMT mini buses on Nigeria roads daily, from an active fleet of at least 4,000 buses.”

  • Expert advises drivers on vehicle maintenance

    Ogun State Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer Gbenga Ademeyin has advised drivers of heavy duty vehicles to have enough concentration, anticipation and self-discipline while on the wheel.

    He made the plea at one-day workshop organised by the Sren Chemical Limited and Polymer Packaging Limited for their fleet and forklift operators at the companies’ premises at Sango, Ogun State.

    He was accompanied by the Ota Zonal Commander, Paul Kehinde Osukoya and Head of Operation and Southwest Coordinator Taofeeq Babalola.

    He said having a good attitude, skills, knowledge, enough concentration and anticipation are very essential for drivers and operators to enable them to avoid accidents.

    He urged drivers or operators to cultivate the spirit of maintenance of their vehicles, adding that a good driver or operator must be able to detect mechanical fault and have little knowledge of solving it.

    Ademeyin said maintenance is the act of keeping a vehicle in good shape and in good working condition. He said this can be done through inspection, testing engines of vehicles, servicing or replacement of parts/fluids.

    He said regular maintenance is very essential as it guarantees the safety, reliability, durability, longevity and comfort of all vehicles.

    He appealed to the operators to always embark on preventive maintenance. He said a good operator must not wait until an automotive part finally failed before replacing it, saying some vehicle parts are to be replaced frequently to avoid major damage or for safety purposes.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Sren Chemical Limited and Polymer Packaging Limited Mr Taiwo Tijani said the company organised the training to enable their drivers/operators to have adequate knowledge that would guarantee their safety while on the wheel. He noted that no amount of money spent on the training could be compared with human lives.

    He said the company frequently invites fire service commission to train members of staff on fire safety precautions. He added that safety and welfare of members of staff are more important to the management.

    The Ota Zonal Commander Osukoya, urged Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and other regulatory agencies to put more efforts to their screening and inspection duties to ensure that no sub-standard goods are imported into the country.

    He noted that about 40 per cent of motor spare parts, tyres and electrical/electronic appliances imported into Nigeria are fakes.

    He also said the agencies should block all loopholes used by unscrupulous elements to smuggle fake/substandard products into the country, stating that substandard products constituted hazard to public health, lives and property.

    He added that the economy of countries producing or manufacturing sub-standard goods will be progressing while Nigerian economy will continue to dwindle if the loopholes were not blocked.

    He appealed to the agencies to ensure that proper tests and screening of goods imported into the country were carried out, saying Nigeria cannot continue to tolerate senseless destruction of lives and property of the citizens on the roads as a result of use of tyres and motor spare parts that are fake, expired or non-conducive to our environment.

    He maintained that many families have become victims of road crashes and other related disasters as a result of use of fake/expired tyres, motor spare parts, including electrical/electronic products.

    He urged the Federal Government to woo manufacturing companies that have left the country back and help reduce tariffs on imported goods.

    He appealed to the government to seriously deal with anyone caught violating the laws on importation.

  • ‘Ban on vehicle import through land border ’ll cost 3m jobs’ 

    About three million people would lose their jobs following the Federal Government’s ban on the importation of fairly–used vehicles through the land borders, the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria, has said.

    Making this known in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, its National Organising and Social Secretary, Alhaji Bashir Idris-Ataka, warned that the policy would further worsen Nigeria’s unemployment problem.

    Na’ala Motors Company Managing Director, Gusau, Idris-Ataka, said those likely to lose their jobs as a result of the policy include dealers, middlemen and drivers. “We are appealing to the government to look at the policy again and change it  to  a better alternative, considering its effect on the economy,” he said.

    Idris-Ataka advised the government to reduce the customs duty charges, saying the high charges were responsible for the high cost of fairly used vehicles being imported into the country.

    His words: “We have met with the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service and the House of Representatives Committee on Customs Service. And we have laid our complaints before them. We are hoping it will yield positive results”

    Idris-Ataka said that government should look into the complaints carefully and see the problems that the policy may cause and provide possible solutions to them.

    He described the association as a law-abiding one that had been contributing immensely to the economy by providing employment opportunities to millions of Nigerians.

    “We are ever ready to cooperate with government at all levels to improve the socio-economic development of the country. We also contribute to the nation’s income, as we pay revenue to government at all levels. We are, therefore, appealing to government to listen to our complaints,” the auto dealer said.

  • ‘Ban on vehicle importation through land borders ’ll not succeed’

    The Federal Government should reconsider its policy banning importation of vehicles through the land borders, as the policy will not be successful, the National President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) Mr. Lucky Amiwero has said.

    Speaking on a radio programme in Lagos, he said there was need for the government to properly look into the implementation of the policy as, according to him, “it lacks some ingredients that will make a successful regime”.

    Amiwero said the government should extend the deadline for importers whose vehicles are currently trapped at the border posts, pointing out that the notice it gave on the new policy was too short.

    According to him, many importers had placed orders before the directive was announced.

    The NCMDLCA chief also said the government’s action was against international convention, which places high consideration for grace period when a major policy is to be taken.

    “The implementation should be properly looked into because it lacks some ingredients that will make a successful regime. The policy is a major decision, but the time is very short.

    “All the border posts are entry points, so, the government must give enough time if it wants to implement any policy. That is not how it is done internationally,” Amiwero stated.

    He urged the government to extend the deadline because “we are not in a military era”.

    “The cars cannot just remain there; they are Nigeria’s assets. These vehicles are not smuggled, but were imported legally as authorised by the government under the Federal Government import regime,” he said.

    Their importation, he said, was done after the import duty was assessed and paid into Federal Government’s account legally. “So, they (importers) should be made to pay duty and clear these vehicles,” he added.

    Amiwero pointed out that vessels coming from China and other places can take six months before arriving, noting that the policy will be a threat to Customs officers except the government tackles the issue of tariff on vehicles, as the rate of smuggling will increase.

    He called on the government to set up a committee to holistically look at the auto policy and review it as it had not impacted positively on Nigerians. “The government should make sure the ban will not create revenue for other countries by reviewing its tariff and also look at the auto policy holistically and review it,” he said.

    Amiwero expressed doubt if a common Nigeria could buy those vehicles that are said to be manufactured in Nigeria. “They must tackle the issue at our ports where duties are collected. It is going to be a threat to Customs officers and we are going to lose a lot of revenue if we don’t put in the right perspective,” he said.

  • Police warn vehicle owners

    The Lagos State Police Command has warned owners of abandoned vehicles parked at Igando and Iju Divisions, Lagos to come with their original documents or lose them to the public through auction.

    The vehicles are: Toyota Camry marked-CA 771 KTU, Mazda bus – IND 345 XH, Volvo saloon car-AP 53 TTD, Chrysler space bus-AG 787 AYE, tricycle – AGL 79 QC, tricycle-AGL 81 QC and tricycle chassis no MD6M14PKSF4E73662 unregistered.

  • NURTW to drivers: get correct vehicle papers

    NURTW to drivers: get correct vehicle papers

    •Erring motorists to pay N20,000 fine

    The Lagos State chapter Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, has urged commercial drivers to ensure that their vehicles are in good condition to avoid sanctions from men of the Vehicle Inspection Services (VIS) of the Ministry of Transportation

    The VIO has introduced new e-billing system for various offences committed by motorists in the state.

    Under the arrangement, motorists caught will be made to pay N20, 000 fine for each offence.

    Such offences, according the VIO include driving with fake /forged drivers licence, cracked windscreen, broken head lamp, rear light and others.

    Motorists can also be penalised for incorrect vehicle papers like insurance certificate, road worthiness etc.

    The NURTW chief advised commercial drivers to ensure that all their papers are valid and up to date to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law.

    He appealed to men of the Lagos VIO to always be humane in theor dealings with the drivers.

    “I want to make a special appeal to law enforcement agencies to always have consideration for our drivers. The must try to tamper justice with mercy, as it may not be easy to meet all the conditions.”

    The NURTW boss also expressed reservation about the desirability of the Lagos Drivers ‘Institute to re-certify commercial drivers.

    He said:  “Though we welcomed the idea when it was first launched, making it an offence now is unfair, especially concerning the fact that majority of the drivers would have gone through certification by FRSC and VIS.

    “I don’t think that certification by the institute should be made compulsory for commercial drivers; it is those who are about learning how to drive that should be encouraged to visit the institute”

  • Hyundai Motors, Diamond Bank renew vehicle finance scheme

    Hyundai Motors, Diamond Bank renew vehicle finance scheme

    Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited (HMNL) in collaboration with Diamond Bank PLC has launched a vehicle finance scheme to inspire prospective customers and fleet buyers to buy precision engineered and affordably priced made-in-Nigeria Hyundai vehicles.

    The scheme which is ongoing is designed to encourage local patrons to own and drive Hyundai vehicles, using convenient bank credit with low interest rates from 14 per cent without commitment and management fees.

    Announcing the scheme in Lagos, the duo of Hyundai Motors Nigeria, manufacturers and distributors of Hyundai vehicles and Diamond Bank Plc explained that the scheme has convenient monthly repayment tenor between 12 and 36 months, depending on the customer’s payment option.

    While also adding that a comprehensive insurance of 3.5 per cent of the vehicle cost will be borne by the customer, the facilitators of the scheme said customers would in addition be offered free registration, free service for six months or 10,000kms and five years or 100,000kms (whichever is first).

    Both establishments brokered this agreement in Lagos at the launch of the scheme aimed at easing challenges associated with accessing low interest bank credit to procure choice cars.

    “The credit initiative is a seamless plan for desiring patrons and fleet managers to access low interest bank credit for the procurement of discounted Hyundai vehicles without necessarily paying commitment and management fees,” the duo explained.

    Hyundai Motors head of sales and marketing Jatin Nadkarni said: “The joint credit initiative is in line with Hyundai’s strategy and direction of making vehicle acquisition a seamless experience and essentially assists prospective customers to buy new Hyundai vehicles and experience Hyundai inspiring technology.”

    The offer which can accessed in all Hyundai Nigeria Limited accredited dealers nationwide includes select Hyundai models like Hyundai Accent 1.4/1.6litre, Grand Xcent & i10 1.2litre sedans, Azera 2.4litre, Creta 1.6litre and Santa Fe 2.4litre & 3.3litre variants.

    Nadkarni said the offer was intended to ease vehicle acquisition and assist customers including those without functional account with Diamond Bank to access the facility.

    “What we are simply doing is to help prospective buyers starve-off the burden of sourcing funds in one fell-swoop to buy a new car. You can now walk into any Diamond Bank branch to apply for credit to buy your choice car and thereafter, pay at your convenience,” Mr. Nadkarni affirmed.