Following Saturday’s explosion in Niger State that claimed over 50 lives and left many others severely injured, the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, FFS, Engr. Abdulganiyu Jaji, has asked fuel station owners and tanker operators to take immediate action in addressing reckless driving by their drivers.
DAILY POST reported that over 50 persons lost their lives in a petrol tanker explosion along Dikko-Maje road, opposite Badeggi filling station, in Suleja LGA of Niger State, on Saturday.
According to the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, the incident occurred after a tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, crashed, and an attempt was made to transfer its contents to another tanker.
In the process, the PMS came into contact with a generator used to effect the transfer, triggering an explosion that consumed over 50 persons, most of whom had gathered to scoop the spilling fuel.
Reacting to the incident in an interview with journalists, the Federal Fire Service Controller-General, Jaji, warned against reckless driving by tanker drivers, especially on major roads and dangerous bends.
He also stressed the need for an urgent review of safety protocols governing fuel transportation across the country.
The Federal Fire Service boss expressed concern over the rising frequency of tanker explosions and fuel station fire incidents. According to him, a small static spark or gas leak can result in rapid, deadly explosions.
Jaji equally warned against the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, a practice which he described as a fatal risk.
He said, “Fuel vapors and leaks can ignite at any moment. Your life is worth more than a few liters of fuel.”
Jaji urged members of the public to avoid fuel tanker accident sites and instead contact the Federal Fire Service for prompt intervention, to avoid tragic consequences.
In the same vein, Jaji called on Nigerians, particularly operators of fuel stations, gas refilling plants, and users of gas cylinders, to strictly follow safety measures to prevent further catastrophic events.
He condoled the families affected by the Niger fuel tanker explosion, asking for divine strength to help them cope with their loss.
He also commended the first responders for their dedication, which he described as a testament to the nation’s resilience.
Jaji stressed the importance of prioritizing safety and public awareness to prevent similar incidents in the future, noting, “Every life is precious, and we must do everything in our power to protect our citizens.”
He reiterated the Federal Fire Service’s commitment to enhancing safety awareness and called for the swift passage of the Fire Service Act of 1963, which is currently under review in the National Assembly.
According to him, the existing law is outdated, hence inadequate to address current fire safety challenges and needs to be modernized to regulate fire safety measures better and reduce incidents like that in the future.