The capital of the Plateau State, Jos, has seen a rise in fatal accidents, and commuters and drivers there fear that this will happen again if the government gives in to pressure from truck drivers who want the ban on entering and exiting the city center lifted.

According to reports gathered on Monday, after visiting the roundabout known for truck accidents, it was noticed that drivers and commuters had to slow down significantly while others pointed at the various parts of the roundabout in shock and consternation as a way of relieving memories of the agony and pain it had caused to many families in the state due to the previous horrific accidents.

According to reports, truck-related collisions at the Polo Roundabout have resulted in over 18 fatalities over the previous few months, along with numerous injuries.

Numerous property owners have allegedly lost buildings and automobiles in horrific accidents at the roundabout.

In an attempt to tackle the issue, Governor Caleb Mutfwang issued Executive Order No. 003, 2024, last month, to regulate the unlawful construction of structures along strategically located, high-traffic areas of the state. These projects frequently result in the nauseating traffic jams that occur in the state capital.

Trucks and other large vehicles are prohibited by the Executive Order from entering the Jos-Bukuru Metropolis’ Central Business Area between the hours of six in the morning and nine in the evening.

Additionally, it says that violators will be punished with a N500,000 fine and have their truck impounded.

After the Order, however, a number of transporters, trade union leaders, and members operating under the Plateau State Joint Transport, Traders and Marketers Association informed Arewa PUNCH that they were dissatisfied with the government’s actions.

Just last Tuesday, the union’s executive members and members of the membership denounced the government’s action, expressing their outrage. They also called for a state-wide “sit-at-home” demonstration to further emphasize their stance.

Recall that when reporters visited the region on Monday, they noticed that many drivers, commuters, and other road users had the government versus trade union conflict at the top of their minds.

One commuter, Bulus Gyang, warned our correspondent that if the government gives in to pressure from the state’s truck drivers and other labor unions, more people would probably perish in roundabout accidents and have their possessions ruined.

Gyang said, “For me, the lives of the people must be protected first before anyone can talk of business. We are aware that truck accidents from Polo Roundabout have claimed many lives. Many of those who survived the accidents are still recuperating at the various hospitals.

“So, my fear is that if the government does not stop articulated vehicles from plying the road during the day as it has done, there is the likelihood of more accidents at the roundabout and other places with similar challenges.”

In the interest of the public, Hart Nenji, a different commuter who claimed to have survived numerous truck accidents on the road, begged the authorities to keep the movement limit on articulated trucks in place.

“I was happy when I heard that the government had taken action to protect the people from truck accidents. Please tell the government that we are in support of the executive order because we have suffered enough at the Polo Roundabout for many years without a solution,” Nenji pleaded.