The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has educated tanker drivers and filling station attendants in Anambra, Ebonyi, and Enugu states on how to prevent tanker fire outbreaks.
During a one-day sensitisation campaign in Enugu on Friday, NEMA also warned tanker drivers against speeding.
NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, through the agency’s Head of Operations in Enugu, Mrs. Ngozi Echeazu, urged Nigerians to avoid scooping fuel from fallen tankers and to stay away from such scenes for their safety. She also encouraged bystanders at accident scenes to assist in rescues if it’s safe, rather than recording videos with their phones.
Umar advised road users to stay alert and avoid reckless behavior. She specifically cautioned tanker and articulated vehicle drivers to avoid alcohol, get adequate rest, maintain their vehicles properly, and ensure their brake and lighting systems function well before traveling. She also urged them to replace worn or retreaded tires.
She extended condolences to the victims of recent tanker fire incidents in the Southeast, especially those affected by the Ugwuonyema explosion along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway earlier this year. She said she visited the scene, checked on survivors in hospitals, and ensured NEMA provided relief to victims’ families. Umar stressed that such tragic events must end.
Chief Chinedu Anyaso, Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Enugu Depot Unit, said fuel tanker fires can be prevented if drivers’ unions collaborate and commit to continuous training. Represented by the IPMAN Secretary, Chief Nnaemeka Iloafor, Anyaso praised NEMA’s efforts and reaffirmed IPMAN’s commitment to safety.
Rev. Boniface Okafor, First Deputy Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers, Enugu Zonal Unit, thanked NEMA and urged the federal and state governments to repair dilapidated roads, which contribute to tanker accidents. He noted that the union had introduced internal checks to prevent unfit tankers from operating.
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander in Enugu State, Mr. Franklin Agbakoba, represented by Chief Route Commander Okine Ugwube, said 90 percent of road accidents stem from human error. He urged tanker drivers to stop ignoring vehicle faults and perform regular checks and repairs.
Mr. Godwin Ezeora, Deputy Controller of the Enugu State Fire Service, advised tanker drivers to keep working fire extinguishers in their vehicles and to act quickly in containing early-stage fires while alerting nearby fire stations for support.
