The National Emergency Management Agency has urged tanker drivers and other motorists to adhere strictly to safety regulations to prevent petroleum tanker accidents and other accidents on the road.

The NEMA Director General, Zubaida Umar, made the plea on Friday in Abakaliki, at a one-day sensitisation to tanker fire and fire prevention for motorists and other stakeholders.

The sensitisation, organised by NEMA to forestall tanker fire explosion accidents and fire outbreaks on the roads, was organised in collaboration with the Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (EBSEMA) and other key stakeholders.

Ms Umar, represented by Head of Operations, NEMA Enugu Zone, Ngozi Echeazu, said the alarming rate of tanker explosion accidents and fire outbreaks necessitated a collaborative effort to improve safety measures. 

She noted that the number of fatalities in tanker-related accidents were high, especially the recent one in Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway on January 25.

The NEMA boss urged the public to avoid fuel scooping from accident scenes.

She stated, “You should, instead, raise an alarm for help and save lives. Help us spread this information. Always put off appliances when not in use and take safety precautions seriously.’’ 

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of EBSEMA, Clement Ovuoba, said that NEMA, in collaboration with EBSEMA, initiated the campaign to educate and inform stakeholders on risks associated with petrol tanker transportation.

Mr Ovuoba said that NEMA directed that the exercise should be conducted across states to focus on mitigating potential disasters.

He added that participants at the event included tanker drivers, petroleum dealers and commercial tricycle operators among other stakeholders. 

He appreciated NEMA for the interest and thanked the resource persons from the Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Red Cross, Police, NSCDC and FRSC for promoting road safety and accident prevention.

Mr Ovuoba said, “Take the lectures, lessons learnt and spread it to other stakeholders to understand what is happening about tanker explosion, fire incidents.’’ 

Earlier, Governor Francis Nwifuru, represented by the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Human Capital Development, Anne Aligwe, commended NEMA and other stakeholders for putting the sensitisation together to create safety on the roads. 

A participant and state Chairman Petrol Dealers Association of Nigeria, Aloy Nwibo, commended the organisers for their foresight in sensitising the stakeholders to safety measures and operational efficiency. 

State Coordinator, Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Alex Ike, called for continuous sensitisation and interface between NEMA and fuel dealers to achieve accidents reduction.

Another participant and community leader, Augustine Akpu, promised to extend the campaign to the grassroots for community members to refrain from fuel scooping.

The event featured displays on safety measures tips and educating of stakeholders on first aid treatment measures, among others. 

 (NAN)