The dangerous practice of travelling on top of trailers from the southern part of the country to the North and vice versa is becoming a fast-growing habit among some carefree Nigerians, many of whom are young people. Such persons are frequently seen sitting on trailers fully loaded with cattle or other goods as they travel to either the North or the South. This practice has resulted in the loss of many young lives.
Notably, most of those who engage in this practice are cattle sellers, commercial okada riders, or operators of various petty businesses who travel to the South to carry out their activities. Apparently, the desire to reduce the financial cost of such journeys drives them to recklessly use trailers as a means of transportation.
It is clear that those who, for instance, travel from Sokoto to Port Harcourt and vice versa on top of trailers expose themselves to grave danger. Their continued indulgence in such reckless behaviour demonstrates the extent to which many ordinary Nigerians have, regrettably, continued to undervalue their own lives.
Furthermore, the persistence of this dangerous practice indicates both a tendency among such travellers to violate existing transportation laws and the failure of relevant authorities and operators within the transport sector to enforce those laws. It is the combination of passengers’ recklessness, the greed of trailer drivers, and the complicity of some officials of traffic regulatory agencies that has allowed this hazardous practice to persist.
Daily Trust not only condemns this practice but also calls for the immediate adoption of effective measures to bring it to an end. Public sensitisation and strict enforcement of transportation regulations are undoubtedly necessary steps in this regard.
We, therefore, urge relevant government agencies, as well as transport associations and unions, to consider this unwanted practice as a challenge that requires urgent and sustained attention. Concerted efforts by these agencies and organisations will certainly help to eliminate this ugly trend.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in particular, as the agency mandated to ensure compliance with traffic regulations and ascertain the roadworthiness of vehicles, should regard the widespread use of trailers for passenger journeys as a serious challenge requiring immediate action. Few violations of transportation laws demonstrate as clearly the failure of enforcement as the continued sighting of passengers on top of trailers.
Similarly, organisations such as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) must ensure that their members comply with the laws guiding transportation. Restoring sanity to our roads and, by extension, the transport sector, can only be achieved if these bodies play their roles effectively.
Another important way to facilitate the movement of persons, cattle, and goods is the expansion of the rail transport system, which remains too limited to meet the country’s critical economic needs. The absence of an efficient and extensive rail network has made the use of trailers and other heavy vehicles for transporting cattle and goods an attractive option.
This newspaper recognises the immense benefits of a functional railway system to the national economy and, therefore, calls for the rapid transformation of the existing network to meet the demands of a modern Nigeria. Rail transport is arguably the most suitable means for hauling cattle and heavy goods because of its capacity to accommodate large volumes.
The safety and convenience provided by rail transport make it highly suitable for the movement of cattle. Significant financial costs, security challenges, and other risks associated with long journeys can be reduced if trains become the preferred means of transporting animals and heavy goods.
Meanwhile, even before the rail system is adequately upgraded, travelling on top of trailers must be completely banned. The FRSC should collaborate with all relevant agencies and stakeholders to ensure that this dangerous practice comes to an immediate end.