Works Minister Visits Oil Tanker Inferno Scene

Adedayo Osho - Abuja

Nigeria's Minister of Works, Dave Umahi has expressed deep sympathy to the government and people of Rivers State, especially families of victims of the tanker inferno leading to deaths, casualties as a result of accident between an oil tanker driver carrying petroleum products and a trailer driver.

The accident took place at the Indoroma-Aleto bridge axis of East-West Road, Eleme in Rivers State. 

The Honourable Minister, who boycotted his Lagos trip to visit the spot of the unfortunate incident, was sad to realize recklessness by the two drivers caused the avoidable disaster. He strongly called for enhanced enforcement of driving rules and road safety checks, particularly as it concerns drivers of heavy-duty vehicles. 

Reacting to the horrific development, Umahi said "My sympathy goes to all the families of the victims of the inferno for the unfortunate and irrecoverable loss of their loved ones. And then, to the government and people of Rivers State, I extend my sympathy to them. When somebody is dead, we are no longer talking about who is responsible."

Legborsi Yamaabana, the President-General of Ogoni Youth Foundation blamed the Federal Government and Renolds Construction Company (RCC) Nigeria Limited, rehabilitators of the section of East-West Road, as the cause of the inferno, threatening to drag them to the International Cril Court (ICC) for negligence. 

The Honourable Minister condemned the youth leader's statement as a misrepresentation of facts, claiming reports and eye-witness accounts confirmed it was a case of drivers' recklessness and impatience.

The Minister absolved the Federal Government and the construction company, RCC, of any negligent act, stating that construction work in the area was recording progressive and quality outcomes. 

Umahi clarified that "RCC is trying, they are doing well. But my visit is going to ensure that they open the construction in a number of sections. That is what they must do. But the quality of what they are doing is quite commendable. They will open the construction. Whether they are delaying or not has nothing to do with the accident."

In her earlier brief, the Acting Federal Controller of Works in charge of Rivers State, Engr. Enwereama Tarilade (Mrs) said it was a case of collision between a tanker truck carrying petroleum products with a trailer driver and who were competing for a right of way on a heavy traffic along a section of the reconstruction of the dualized 15km section of the road  She also expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident.