Olusegun Adeyemo
The Head of National Emergency Management Agency, Uyo Operation Office, Ms Aisueni Mmandu, has said that scooping fuel from a fallen tanker is ‘a suicide mission’.
Mmandu made the statement at a public awareness programme on tanker accidents and fires in Ikom, Cross River State, on Monday.
Mmandu cautioned members of the public on the need to stay away from fallen tankers with petroleum products, saying,” it can result in fire”
“When you see a fallen tanker with petroleum products, it is not the time for scooping fuel, fire can be ignited and people will be burnt to death.
“In recent times, we have had tanker explosions in Niger, Jigawa, Delta, Enugu, Lagos and Cross River claiming hundreds of lives and property worth millions,” she said.
The NEMA official said that although tanker accidents were preventable, they were mainly caused by reckless driving, overloading, poor vehicle maintenance, road infrastructure challenges and lack of public awareness.
She urged government agencies, transport unions and community leaders to take proactive steps towards reducing tanker accidents and fires.
“There is a need to enforce safety regulations, exercise caution and report unsafe driving by drivers of tankers and articulated vehicles,” Mmandu said.
Mr Etetim Otom, the Public Enlightenment Officer, Federal Road Safety Commission, Ikom Unit, described the programme as commendable following the losses associated with tanker accidents.
He urged tanker drivers to see other road users as their fellow humans who deserved to be alive.
“Some drivers need to be told how to behave while manning the wheels, some of them behave like kings and masters of the road,” Otom said.
The Uyo operation office of NEMA covers both Akwa Ibom and Cross River.