LAGOS—Eyewitnesses of the fire disaster in Iyana-Ipaja area
of Lagos State sparked by a petrol tanker have blamed officials of the Lagos
State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA, for causing the accident.
The LASTMA officials were alleged to have pursued the
tanker until it fell off the bridge at Iyana-Ipaja upon which it caused the
inferno that injured 14 persons, razed 34 buildings, 44 shops and 21 vehicles.
Scene of the explosion and the crowd. Photos: Joe
Akintola, Photo Editor and Kehinde Gbadamosi.
Residents also blamed the government for failing to
renovate the bridge which has been faulty for more than 15 years.
Meanwhile, officials of Lagos State Emergency
Management Agency, LASEMA, yesterday visited the scene again to carry out an
assessment of the victims as ordered by the state governor, Mr Akinwunmi
Ambode.
The incident happened around 1a.m on Tuesday when the
tanker which was moving from Agege end of the road lost control and fell off
the bridge on getting to Ipaja Road, spilling its content which spread to five
adjourning streets on the axis.
Victims count losses
As at yesterday, the victims were still counting their
losses hoping that the state government will come to their aid as promised.
One of the victims, Mr. Emmanuel Chime, who lost a
supermarket to the inferno, lamented that about N15m worth of goods were lost
to the fire.
Another victim, Obinna Ojiakor, a boutique owner, said
about N10m worth of goods were lost to the incident.
Also, a record company owner, Remi Odus said, “LASEMA
officials were here today (yesterday) and they have done the enumeration of the
victims, we hope they will live up to our expectation.”
However, some residents blamed the incident on
unidentified officials of LASTMA, who were alleged to have chased the tanker
driver before the incident occurred around 12.30am.
Residents of the area who spoke with Vanguard, also
said the nearly 40-year-old bridge became weak following an auto crash which
occurred about 15 years ago
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