It was a shame of shame yesterday at Liverpool, Apapa, Lagos, when scores of people were scooping Diesel at a scene of Tanker accident that occurred ontop of Liverpool bridge.
It took the intervention of emergency responders, including security agencies to chase away the mammoth crowd scooping diesel not minding the havoc that the accident would have caused.
A senior police officer, told Daily Sun that if not for the quick intervention of security agencies and emergency responders,including the fire service and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the highest fire disaster would have occurred.
He said,” I was on duty at the under bridge, when I heard a loud bang. I looked up above and saw a taker that crashed on the rails of the bridge. I saw oil dripping from the tanker; my thought was that it was fuel and my instinct told me to run far before I could start making distress calls to appropriate agencies. My brother, as I turned back, I saw people, especially market women, rushing down to the place and started scooping the the petroleum product. Those who came to buy sea food, including fish,scrab and crayfish and those hawking other items, started scooping petroleum product. I started shouting that everybody should run for his or her dear life as there would still be fire outbreak, but the more I was discouraging them, the more more people were trooping to the scene. I think the poverty level in Nigeria is frustrating and embarrassing. What would have caused this highest risk of scooping petroleum products, not minding the consequences of fire outbreak? I think the National Orientation Agency and other government agencies should carry out serious enlightenment campaigns against this type of risk
”
However, LASTMA Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, said
LASTMA, in exemplary synergy with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has once again underscored its operational acuity and institutional readiness by decisively forestalling a potentially fire outbreak on the Liverpool Bridge inward Mile 2, occasioned by a tanker-related incident.
“Preliminary security findings indicate that an articulated Iveco tanker with registration number:RBC 98 XX, heavily laden with diesel lost vehicular control and toppled onto the bridge, resulting in significant structural impairment to the tanker and the uncontrolled discharge of large volumes of diesel across the carriageway.
” Of grave concern was the spillage of the highly combustible petroleum product from the elevated bridge to the area beneath an occurrence that regrettably drew the attention of some unscrupulous individuals who attempted to scoop the diesel, thereby compounding the volatility and danger inherent in the situation.
“Upon receipt of the emergency alert, LASTMA operatives immediately mobilised to the scene exhibiting remarkable professionalism, vigilance and composure. The Agency’s personnel promptly dispersed the crowd engaged in the hazardous act of scooping diesel decisively cordoned off the affected area and swiftly activated established inter-agency emergency response mechanisms by notifying security operatives and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
“This resolute and timely intervention effectively neutralised the imminent threat of combustion and prevented what could have escalated into a devastating inferno with dire human, environmental and infrastructural ramifications.
“The driver of the distressed tanker, who sustained severe injuries in the course of the accident was courageously rescued by LASTMA officials and urgently conveyed to the General Hospital, Apapa, where he is currently receiving comprehensive medical attention.
“To ensure maximum safety, orderliness and situational control at the scene, officers of the Nigeria Police Force from Area ‘B’ Police Division, Apapa, provided robust security reinforcement, working in close collaboration with other emergency responders to maintain crowd control, regulate traffic flow and stabilise the environment.
“In the meantime, an alternative empty tanker was promptly deployed to facilitate the transloading of the remaining diesel, while vehicular movement was tactically diverted by LASTMA to the opposite carriageway in the interest of public safety and to guarantee the seamless flow of traffic.
“The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa praised the swift response, tactical efficiency and high-level coordination displayed by LASTMA personnel and other emergency responders, noting that their collective professionalism averted what could have culminated in another tragic fire disaster.
“Giwa further admonished members of the public to consistently exhibit heightened safety consciousness, particularly by abstaining from the perilous practice of scooping petroleum products during tanker accidents involving diesel or Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), stressing that such reckless conduct poses severe threats to lives, property and the environment.
“The Lagos State Government, through LASTMA, reiterates its unwavering commitment to proactive traffic management, rapid emergency response and the safeguarding of lives and critical public infrastructure across the state.”
