…3 incidents in one week kill over 100
…Niger, Oyo Enugu affected
By Uche Onyeali, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu, has directed the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and other relevant agencies in charge of enforcing traffic rules to implement measures to prevent recurring fuel tanker explosions.
Tinubu’s directive followed incessant explosions of petrol tankers in the country in recent months, resulting in many deaths and injuries.
AljazirahNigeria recalls that a petrol-laden tanker exploded last weekend at the Ugwu-Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, leading to the loss of no fewer than 11 lives.
Director of Enugu State Fire Service, Mr. Okwudili Ohaa, said the fire, which raged for over an hour destroyed several vehicles and many people injured.
Reacting to the incident in a statement yesterday by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President commiserated with the families of the deceased and prayed for the repose of the departed souls.
He also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured receiving medical treatment.
According to the statement, “The President calls for caution and adherence to safety measures among road users, particularly fuel tanker operators.
“Furthermore, Mr President has directed agencies in charge of enforcing traffic rules to implement measures to prevent recurring fuel tanker explosions nationwide”.
Similarly, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda has expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in a petrol tanker explosion in Ugwu- Onyeama axis near 9th Mile of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Enugu State.
In a statement yesterday by the Director of Information in the Ministry, Mrs Rhoda Iliya, Yilwatda cautioned citizens to always obey traffic regulations.
He also called for increased public awareness on the need for Nigerians to adopt safety measures to avoid exposing themselves to danger.
“I express my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones and the injured.
“My thoughts and prayers are with you, and I pray for the repose of the souls of the departed and speedy recovery for the injured”, he said.
The Minister also stressed the importance of prompt emergency response by relevant agencies and regular vehicle maintenance to prevent frequent road crashes.
In the same vein, the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah has expressed sorrow over the tragic fuel tanker accident along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, which claimed 11 lives and left several others injured.
Mbah, who conducted an on-the-spot assessment at the accident site, described the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy.
He assured that the state government had already activated measures to ensure the victims received comprehensive medical attention while taking proactive steps to prevent future occurrences.
The Governor confirmed that preliminary investigations revealed the tanker, which was carrying Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, experienced brake failure and spilled its highly inflammable content, leading to a devastating fire that caused multiple casualties.
The Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, other law enforcement agencies and health officials are continuing investigations on the incident.
Mbah, emphasised the importance of enforcing road safety regulations for tankers transporting inflammable substances.
He then directed the state FRSC sector commander, Mr.Franklin Agbakoba, and the state Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Obi Ozor, to ensure that all tankers in the state are equipped with anti-spill locks to prevent fuel spills in the event of an accident.
“We are devastated by this tragedy, which has resulted in the loss of precious lives.
“I have instructed that survivors be moved to hospitals for urgent medical care. My Commissioner for Health, Special Adviser on Health, and the Chief Medical Director of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, ESUTTH, Parklane, are all involved in providing maximum medical attention to the injured”, he said.
The Governor also pledged that the state government would no longer wait for federal intervention to repair the dilapidated sections of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.
He announced plans to undertake immediate repairs to prevent future accidents.
The FRSC sector commander confirmed that 11 people died at the scene, while injured survivors were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
He commended the governor for his swift response and commitment to covering the medical expenses of the victims.
AljazirahNigeria recalled that on January 17, a tanker exploded at Dikko town, in Gurara Local Government Area, Niger State, killed 86 and injured 55 persons.
In another development, a tragic tanker explosion claimed the life of a driver and left another person injured in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The incident occurred in the early hours of last Wednesday along the Ojoo/Iwo Road Expressway near Fijabi House, Agbowo.
General Manager, Oyo State Fire Services Agency,Yemi Akinyinka, said that the accident happened when a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, lost control, collided with two other trucks, and somersaulted into a nearby pit before going up in flames.
AljazirahNigeria reports that the three incidents happened within a space of one week and resulted in deaths of 102 persons according to official figures.
