When a mistake happens once, it is considered to be a mistake. When it happens repeatedly, it is then considered to be a high level of incompetence and non-professionalism.
Receiving the bad news of the recent incident of brake failure of one of the Quarry trucks has left us depressed, sad, aggrieved, and heartbroken.
While we pray that the souls of the affected victims find solace in their Lord and their families get the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable losses, we write to strongly condemn the incessant loss of innocent lives by this company trucks, whose every time excuse for claiming lives has always been brake failure.
We are not oblivious to the fact that the activities and functionalities of the trucks mean a whole lot to the company and as such, the company in one way or the other, contributes to the development of its situated area and the state at large. Yet, we give so much cognizance to human life. In everything, safety comes first.
Having critically analyzed and observed these unpleasant incidents, we’ve come to the realization of the fact that the truck brake failure mostly and majorly affects people of our community, Ikirun and this is evident enough.
Recall that less than six months ago, in 2022, this same truck rammed into some people inside a maternity where it injured many people. Two days ago, it sent some people to the grave with a record of injured victims. When a mistake is done once, it is understandable to be a mistake. But when it happens repeatedly, it is no longer a mistake, but absolute unprofessionalism.
While we express our dissatisfaction and grievances over the atrocities this company’s trucks have caused our beloved community, we call on well-meaning people of our community and the state at large to as a matter of urgency see to this sad happening, as the lives and property of the people are at stake with the continuous repetition of this incident. We hereby write and plead that you help us relay our plights and concerns to the concerned authorities. Our recommendations to curb this menace are as follows:
1. There should be movement time for these trucks, mostly at nights when no record of loss of life would be recorded. If that seems impossible, then we would be left with no option than to completely ban these trucks from routing within our community in carrying out their daily activities.
2. Of course, we know money can never bring back a lost life, yet, we highly recommend that there should be ‘huge’ compensation for any and every victim. Any and every affected victim must be duly compensated, especially when it has to do with the damage to their property. This way, we believe the concerned company would take necessary action to ensure their trucks are perfectly fit to hit the road without causing havoc.
3. There should be an extension of roads and roads should be specially constructed for the passage of these trucks. We believe this would significantly contribute to the reduction in the risk posed to our community, especially when we have roads specially constructed for the passage of these trucks.
While we pray that the most high comfort the families of the victims, we strongly believe that our wishes and recommendations would be looked into and be granted in due time.
We pray for the absolute safety of our community, its people, and its property. We pray not to witness such agony anymore.
Thanks for your time and we anticipate your prompt action on this.
• Prince Olawale Opeyemi Mutiu writes from Ikirun, Osun State