By Patrick Wemambu
Once again, tragedy struck last Saturday as a gas-laden tanker exploded while offloading its highly inflammable contents in a gas station at Sabon Wuse, Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State in North-Central Nigeria.
The explosion which destroyed a rice mill, fuel tanker and properties estimated at several billions of Naira – causing residents to vacate their homes, scampering for safety – was documented as the third in its series rocking the state in less than a month.
Coming about three weeks after a twin explosion killed more than 90 people and injured about 56 others in Dikko, Gurara LGA of Niger State, there was another tanker inferno in the Agaie Local Government Area of the state early January with over 80 individuals confirmed dead.
And in commiserating with the Niger State Government over the recent explosions that claimed several lives of its indigenes, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, visited Minna, last week where she donated N100 million to victims of various disasters in the state.
Record has it that in 2020, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) listed 1,531 fuel tanker accidents which claimed over 535 lives in Nigeria. Between September 2024 and early this year, 265 persons were said to have reportedly been lost to incidences of tanker explosions in parts of the country.
From Jigawa to Enugu, Delta to Niger States, fuel tanker tragedies – constituting a recurring decimal – across Nigeria have led to several deaths. Statistics indicate that no less than 120 people have died in such explosions in at least 3 of the involved states in the nation in recent times.
Consequent upon incessant tanker explosions not only in the power state but generally across the nation, stakeholders have raised concerns about safety measures in the field. Stricter regulations would have to be implemented to forestall recurrence of disasters.
How should the menace of tanker explosions be addressed in Nigeria? No doubt, a multi-faceted approach is the panacea.
For starters, there should be routine inspection of tankers to ensure they meet safety standards.
Next, implementation of comprehensive training programmes for tanker drivers cannot be over-emphasized.
Also, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) must intensify its task of orientating the general public on the dangers of scooping fuel from overturned tankers.
Similarly, it is proposed that emergency telephone lines be dedicated for response education to report fuel spills to concerned authorities.
Additionally, establishment of parking bays for tanker drivers would go a long way to arresting fatigue-based accidents.
Morever, the adoption of advanced technologies in the development of explosion-resistant fuel containers is pivotal to ensuring safe transportation of fuel.
Likewise, while decrying the recklessness of some tanker drivers, it is advisable for security agencies involved to consider removing barricades on roads which predispose articulated vehicles to accidents.
