A Tanker accidents: Ambode sets up c’ttee to check truck drivers’excesses

Lagos—Determined to stop the recurring cases of fuel tankers accidents in the state, Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday, announced the setting up of a committee comprising of stakeholders to fashion out guidelines aimed at curbing the excesses of  fuel tanker drivers.
Ambode had called a stakeholders meeting on ways to prevent future occurrence when he visited the scene of last Friday Midnight Idimu-Egbe petroleum tanker explosion in which over 70 shops, 34 houses were destroyed by the inferno.
The committee headed by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr Tunji Bello, is expected to submit its reports and recommendation to the governor within two weeks.

From left: Mr.Rasak Fadipe, Director, Lagos state Fire Services, Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule, Head of Operation Lagos state Emergence Management Agency[LASEMA], Mr. Femi Giwa,and others, during the Governor visit to Tanker Fire Explosion scene in Idimu, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

The stakeholders at emergency meeting were petroleum, transport union leaders, and road safety officials. After listening to contributions from leaders of various unions and safety officials, Ambode said, “The state government has resolved to set up a committee that will be chaired by the SSG and will have as its members the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transportation, Special Duties, Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps,, Director of the Fire Service, Representatives of the Association of Maritime Truck owners, AMATO, National Union of Petroleum Energy and Natural Gas, NUPENG, National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, Chief Executive Officer of Lagos Driver’s Institute, Petroleum Tanker Drivers, Lagos State Traffic management Authority, LASTMA.”
Ambode explained that the mandate of the committee is to examine the immediate and remote causes of the tanker explosions that occurred in the last two weeks.
According to him, “The committee will also prepare guidelines on ethical conducts for tankers and other truck advisers in the state.
“The committee will engage the insurance industry and relevant stakeholders to meet and work out appropriate insurance policy that will protect the masses in whatever havoc caused by future tanker explosions in the state.
“I believe that we have created the platform to provide immediate relief for those who have affected by the inferno even as we wait for the final report on the Iyana-Ipaja and Idimu tanker explosion in which we will take appropriate action to provide further relief to those affected by the inferno.
 APC seeks stricter regulation for heavy duty vehicles
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has expressed the need by the state government for a better regulation of heavy duty vehicles plying Lagos streets, with a view to curbing the recurring incidents of fatal tanker accidents as well as traffic gridlocks in the state.
The party warned tanker drivers to be mindful of the safety of lives and properties of residents as they go about their businesses.
Lagos State Publicity Secretary of APC, Joe Igbokwe, condemned the development, saying the two tanker incidents were one too many in a spate of days and is worried that re-occurrence will be  too much for Lagos to handle.

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