Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described as very unfortunate the fire incident caused by a tanker conveying premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol which burnt motorists and commuters beyond recognition and destroyed a good number of vehicles.
The incident occurred between Indorama Gate and Aleto Bridge on the popular and ever-busy Eleme section of the East-West Road now undergoing major reconstruction by the Federal Government.
Governor Fubara expressed his sadness at the gory sights that he saw when he visited the scene of the incident, accompanied by the State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the State Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Uchechukwu Nwafor, on Saturday morning.
The Governor explained that he got a call from the Managing Director of Indorama Petrochemical and Fertiliser Company Limited in Eleme Local Government Area, informing him of the incident.
At the news of the incident, Governor Fubara stated that he immediately routed a call to the security agencies and instructed that they visit the scene to take charge of the security of the area to avoid escalation of the situation.
Governor Fubara said: “We are here to see for ourselves and get a first-hand information of the incident of what happened yesterday night.
“About 7.30 – 8pm, we got information on the gravity of the incident. I was told that it was caused by a tanker vehicle that was conveying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
“I got the information through the MD of Indorama, and I immediately alerted the security agencies to make sure they took control of the security situation in the area.
“And from what we are seeing this morning, it was not a pleasant case. We recorded a huge number of vehicles being destroyed and lives lost.
Governor Fubara explained that he had already requested the relevant government agencies to provide him with a detailed account of their findings to enable the State Government to take appropriate decisions and actions to significantly remedy the situation and reduce the negative on the affected people.
“I have already asked the relevant agencies to give us a full brief so that we can come into the situation fully by seeing to how much we can support the bereaved families, and also cushion the effect of the loss, which I believe, is no fault of a good number of them.
“We all know the situation of this road. It is really unfortunate. Most of our people, when plying this road, should ply it with caution.
“I believe very strongly that this situation would have been avoidable if the motorists had behaved properly. But it is late already. The damage has happened. This is the situation we have found ourselves in. We will see how we can control the aftermath,” he added.
MOSOP, OYF call on relevant authorities to fix the road
The Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People, MOSOP has issued a statement calling on the Federal Government and other relevant authorities to urgently fix the Eleme Ogoni section of the East-West road.
The Publicity Secretary of MOSOP, Imeabe Saviour Oscar made the call in reaction to the death of an unspecified number of persons, who were roasted beyond recognition and the burning of over 70 vehicles and try-cycles, following a fuel tanker explosion on Friday night around the Petrochemical axis.
He regretted the road had become a nightmare for the people of Ogoni and other users.
Imeabe Saviour Oscar questioned the inability of the Federal Government to diligently reconstruct the road to save the lives of the people of Ogoni
The Publicity Secretary of MOSOP, Imeabe Saviour Oscar, while condoling with the families of the victims, tasked the government at all levels to prioritize the welfare of the people far above political interests
MOSOP also appreciated the quick response of the INDORAMA fire service that intervened during the inferno.
Also, the Ogoni Youth Federation is demanding accountability for the Tragic fire Incident on East-West Road and Vowed to Drag the constructing firm RCC and the Federal Government to the International Criminal Court.
The President Ogoni Youth Federation DR LEGBORSI YAAMAABANA while addressing newsmen at the scene of the fire inferno said it is unacceptable that RCC failed to create alternative routes before commencing construction.
The President of the Ogoni Youth Federation DR LEGBORSI YAAMAABANA also demanded that RCC and the Federal Government should take immediate responsibility for their negligence and provide full compensation to the families of the victims.
