Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, expressed deep regret over the unfortunate incident caused by a tanker carrying premium motor spirit, commonly known as petrol. The incident resulted in a devastating fire that engulfed motorists and commuters, leading to the destruction of numerous vehicles on Friday night. The tragic event unfolded between the Indorama Petro-Chemical Company Gate and the Aleto Bridge, along the bustling Eleme section of the East-West Road, which is currently undergoing extensive reconstruction by the Federal Government.
Governor Fubara, accompanied by the State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the State Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Uchechukwu Nwafor, visited the scene on Saturday morning to assess the situation firsthand. In a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, Governor Fubara described the incident as a “great tragedy” upon witnessing the devastation.
During a visit to the country home of Sir Celestine Omehia in Ubima community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Governor Fubara recounted receiving a distress call from the Managing Director of Indorama Petrochemical and Fertilizer Company Limited, alerting him to the incident. In response, he immediately contacted security agencies to ensure the area’s security and prevent further escalation of the situation.
Governor Fubara emphasized the need for caution among motorists, particularly on roads undergoing construction, to avoid such tragic incidents in the future. He expressed his commitment to supporting the affected families and mitigating the impact of the losses incurred.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, stated that four bodies, including that of a pregnant woman, were found at the scene of the inferno. Efforts to rescue trapped individuals and extinguish the fire were undertaken jointly by the Police and Firefighters, though the total casualties were yet to be determined.
The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Rivers State Command, Christopher Kuje, corroborated the casualty figures provided by the police. He revealed that the charred remains were transported to the Military Hospital in Port Harcourt for further examination.
An eyewitness named Precious recounted the harrowing scene, noting that some individuals were unable to escape the flames and tragically lost their lives. He attributed the incident partly to the ongoing road reconstruction, which exacerbated traffic congestion and hindered swift emergency response.
In light of the tragedy, there have been calls for increased diligence and expedited measures to ensure the safety of road users, coupled with a swift response to emergencies to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
