•Enugu tanker explosion
Relations of the 18 victims of last Saturday’s petrol tanker fire in Enugu yesterday besieged hospitals where the injured were taken.
Family members of the dead also besieged the scene of the accident at the Ugwu Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, reports NAN.
They wept uncontrollably at seeing the vehicles that caused the death of their relations.
It was gathered that as early as 6 a.m yesterday, relations of the dead and the injured were at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital on Park Lane in Enugu and the National Orthopaedic Hospital as well as other hospitals in Enugu to get more information about the victims of the fire.
Hundreds of residents of Onitsha, Awka, and other neighbouring towns were at the scene of the accident to identify the victims.
Our correspondent who visited Park Lane Hospital gathered that only one survivor remained there while others had been transferred to the orthopaedic hospital.
“They were first brought here, but because of the severity of their burns, they were transferred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Enugu because we couldn’t handle their cases,” a hospital official who did not want to be named told our correspondent.
At the orthopaedic hospital, reporters were barred from entering the wards where the victims were receiving treatment.
At the scene of the accident, relations of the victims were seen weeping on seeing the carcass of the fuel tanker that caused the explosion.
One of them pointed at a sport utility vehicle (SUV), saying: “My in-law who just returned from abroad was among the five persons that were burnt inside this Lexus.”
Another man wept profusely as he announced that all his family members died in the fire.
“The worst has happened. My world has turned upside down. My mother, Izu, Chioma, Nnamdi, all of them have been burnt,” he said.
When our correspondent contacted the sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Franklin Agbakoba Onyekwere, for an update on the number of victims, he said he was in a meeting and promised to call back.
But his phone line could not be reached a few hours afterwards.
Unofficial sources yesterday put the casualty figure at 18. About 12 others were said to have been injured in the tanker fire.
Also, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the deadly fuel tanker explosion.
In a statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President extended heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Enugu State.
He also commiserated with the families of the victims, offering prayers for the repose of the departed souls and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, condoled with the families of the dead and the injured in the explosion.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja by the ministry’s Director of Information, Mrs. Rhoda Iliya, the minister cautioned citizens to always obey traffic regulations.
“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.
Also, the Southeast Senators’ Forum yesterday expressed shock and sorrow over the Enugu tanker fire.
In a statement in Abuja by the Leader of the forum, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, the forum said: “It’s sorrowful and very unfortunate that we will lose many of our people, whose total number is yet to be ascertained, barely a week after similar incident in Niger State, which pain and shock Nigeria is yet to recover from.
“It is high time the traffic managers stepped up their game. The frequency of these accidents now constitutes a total embarrassment to the country.
“We can’t continue losing our people this way,” Abaribe said.
The senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, expressed sadness over the deaths the fuel tanker explosion caused.
In a statement yesterday, the former Abia State governor extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, offering prayers for the souls of the deceased and wishing a speedy recovery to those receiving medical attention.
“On behalf of the people of Abia North Senatorial District, our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this unfortunate incident and the Government of Enugu State, led by Governor Peter Mbah.
“May God grant the departed eternal rest and give the injured the strength to recover quickly.
“I urge all road users to prioritise safety to avoid such devastating accidents,” Senator Kalu said.
Also, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu expressed sadness over the deaths the tanker fire caused.
In a statement by his Special Assistant on Press Affairs, Udora Orizu, the Deputy Speaker said: “I’m deeply saddened by the news of a fuel tanker explosion in Enugu State yesterday (Saturday) which caused the death of several people, with many also injured. This horrific incident happened just days after another tanker exploded in Niger State with over 80 people killed.
“I’m deeply concerned; it’s been one death too many. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families as well as the government and the people of Enugu State.”
Also, President Tinubu and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) yesterday called for an enhanced road safety across the country to avert similar disasters.
In the statement by Mr. Onanuga, the President stressed the need for strict adherence to safety protocols by road users, particularly operators of fuel tankers, to prevent similar tragedies.
He urged all Nigerians to prioritise caution and responsibility on the roads to safeguard lives and property.
President Tinubu also directed agencies responsible for enforcing traffic regulations to intensify measures for ensuring the safe operation of heavy-duty vehicles nationwide.
In a statement by its Enugu Depot Community, Mr. Chinedu Anyaso, IPMAN said: “We are worried about this type of accident because of the heavy loss in terms of human lives and property that goes with it. Just last June, we had a similar incident, which also claimed lives and property.
“It is a loss to families, loss to businesses of our members, loss to the general public and the entire economy. This is why we are calling for a multi-stakeholders approach to solving the problem of incessant tanker accident.
“We want to condole with families of the bereaved and those who suffered losses in the accident just as we pray that God will grant the souls of those that died, eternal rest,” he said.
Anyaso urged the governors of the Southeast states to create tanker parks where drivers could stay and break their journeys to prevent crashes caused by fatigue.
It advised tanker drivers’ unions to strengthen safety compliance.
Also, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has rolled out a nationwide crackdown on tanker crashes, mandating the registration of all tanker drivers under a union.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to reducing road crashes caused by drunk driving and fatigue, with a renewed focus on collaborative efforts with the Judiciary and other stakeholders.
The FRSC Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed announced this in an interview with our correspondent yesterday in Abuja.
“We have started implementing some recommendations and we are working with the union to ensure that all tanker drivers are registered and certified.
“We have also deployed our officials to tank farms to inspect safety valves, vehicle conditions, and certify drivers before loading and departure,” Mohammed said.
The FRSC boss also listed a number of measures the agency was taking to avert tanker fire.
“We are collaborating with the Judiciary on checking breath and alcohol intake of drivers. You can see how important it is to check this.
“We are also working with the police to ensure that the sale of intoxicating materials in motor parks and garages is curtailed.
“This is important so that we can reduce the casualties and the point where those drivers are able to get those intoxicating substances,” he said.
