Epidemic of fuel tanker disasters

WITHIN two weeks, a series of deadly petrol-laden tanker accidents
brought sorrow, tears and blood to Nigerians, most of them
uninvolved in the process. In Onitsha, disaster reaped a grim
harvest of over 90 lives when a fully loaded fuel tanker ran into a
bus and set it and everything else around on fire. A similar accident
had taken place in Makurdi, Benue State, and claimed the lives of a



newly-wedded couple and their guests in a bus.
In separate incidents days apart,two tankers fell in Idimu and Iyana
areas of Lagos State, consuming houses, cars, goods and valuable
property in the ensuing conflagration. These tragic incidents led to
gruesome deaths and grave misery for survivors and their families.
They rendered people homeless and left many with their means of
livelihood gone in a flash.
In most cases, these avoidable disasters take place as a result of
indiscipline and neglect. Some articulated vehicles carrying highly
inflammable liquids are often operated by drivers under the
influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding dangerously on narrow or
poorly maintained roads in densely-populated areas. Many of the
drivers are not properly trained to handle these specialised vehicles,
and they get away with it because the law-enforcement agencies do
not live up to their responsibilities. Many of the vehicles are also
barely road worthy.
Over the years, trailer and tanker owners and drivers have become
laws unto themselves. Most of these vehicles are owned by highly
connected individuals, particularly those in military and security
agencies. Moreover, the drivers belong to unions that are always
ready to hold the society to ransom by going on strike any time the
law reins in their members.
We commend the Lagos State Government for responding promptly
and promising to provide the victims with immediate financial
support, at least to enable them cope with the refugee status that
the tragedies bestowed on them. In other places similar tragedies
took place, governments should not abandon the hapless citizens to
their fate. Efforts must be made to provide them succour to assist
them to get back on their feet. That is a dividend of citizenship that
must no longer be overlooked.
Since there is a limit to what governments can do, it is important
that we take the issue of insurance serious. It is a great way to
recover some losses.
Governments should expedite measures to reduce the number of
fuel tankers on our roads by striving to get the pipelines and
railways back into use. Law enforcement agents should also do
their jobs.
These incidents are becoming epidemic and endemic.