…Promises government will take over treatment of injured victims
Enugu State Governor Dr Peter Mbah expressed sorrow over an accident involving a fuel tanker on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway that claimed the lives of 11 individuals.
During his on-the-spot assessment at the accident site, the governor stated that the government had already taken action to ensure that victims receive comprehensive medical care and to implement measures aimed at preventing future incidents. This includes enforcing road regulations and repairing the deteriorating sections of the federal road.
Describing the accident as tragic, Mbah extended his condolences to the victims’ families.
He also instructed the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) for Enugu, Mr Franklin Agbakoba, and the State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Obi Ozor, to ensure that all tankers transporting flammable substances within the state are equipped with anti-spill locks to prevent spills in the event of an accident.
“This incident, involving a tanker that preliminary investigations suggest experienced brake failure, resulted in the vehicle overturning, spilling premium motor spirit which subsequently ignited. This is indeed a tragic situation resulting in casualties.
“However, I must emphasise that investigations are still in their early stages. The police and other law enforcement agencies are diligently working to uncover the root cause of this accident.
“In the meantime, we have ensured that those requiring treatment have been transferred to hospitals for urgent medical attention. My Commissioner for Health, my Special Adviser on Health, and the Chief Medical Director of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ESUTTH), Parklane, Enugu, along with the police and Federal Road Safety Corps, have been tasked with providing the highest level of care to the survivors,” the governor stated.
He continued, “As a government, we are also taking immediate actions. I have been in communication with the head of the Federal Road Safety Corps to ensure strict enforcement of regulations prohibiting tanker drivers from operating without an anti-spill lock. All tankers transporting premium spirit and other flammable products must have these locks to avoid spills in the event of accidents. This is crucial.
“Additionally, we will be considering the introduction of traffic regulations aimed at preventing future incidents of this nature.
“We cannot afford to wait for the federal government to address the other sections of the road. Our administration is committed to taking swift action to ensure that necessary repairs are implemented promptly to prevent a recurrence of this tragedy.”
While briefing the governor on preliminary investigations, the FRSC Sector Commander for Enugu explained that the tanker spill resulted from brake failure.
He reported that 11 people lost their lives at the scene, while the injured road users were quickly transported to the hospital for treatment, expressing gratitude to the governor for his prompt response and commitment to covering their medical expenses.
