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.
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