How to curb incessant fuel explosions – Experts, stakeholders


Following the recent tanker explosion that killed over 98 people at Dikko Junction in Suleja, Niger state, BENJAMIN SAMSON speaks to experts and stakeholders on how to curb the menace.

It was a tragic weekend on Saturday last week in Niger state after no fewer than 98 citizens, including a pregnant woman and many children, were burnt to death while scooping fuel from a crashed fuel tanker.

At least 70 residents sustained varying degrees of burns and were rushed to different hospitals for treatment. Some of them have been transferred to federal medical institutions in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The tragic incident occurred when a speeding petrol tanker crashed on Dikko Junction along the expressway between Niger and Kaduna states.

Similarly, on September 8, 2024, no fewer than 100 people were burnt alive in a similar tanker explosion in the same Niger state. Besides those who died, no fewer than 50 cattle were burnt in ashes during the accident which happened on the Lapai-Agaie road.

Blueprint reports that a petrol tanker loaded with petrol collided with another trailer loaded with some passengers and cattle, causing a huge explosion.

Jigawa

Likewise, a total of 167 persons lost their lives on September 18, 2024, following a fuel tanker explosion in Majiya town in the Taura local government area of Jigawa state.

Eyewitness accounts

Speaking with this reporter at the scene of the incident, Musa Awalu, an eyewitness, said, “Shortly after the tanker crashed at Dikko Junction, it started spilling its contents. That was the precursor to the tragedy. Against commonsense, residents started scooping petrol. Some residents reportedly attacked security agents who initially prevented them from scooping petrol.

“Explosions on our roads are getting increasingly high. That people would be so desperate to rush to scoop fuel after such accidents should compel a public enlightenment campaign.”

Also, Hamisu Ibrahim said he was on a motorcycle heading towards the junction when the tanker crashed. He noted that the people around were confused, not knowing what to do, and no uniformed man was present to control traffic or warn people to stay away.

“Suddenly, the tanker began to spill fuel and when people saw the fuel, they rushed to the fallen tanker to scoop the fuel. It was then I heard the explosion.

“So many people were there when the tanker exploded. There could be more than 100, but from a distance, I just saw many people going up in flames,” he said.

Another eyewitness, who simply gave his name as Ishaya, said the tanker exploded when the main body of the vehicle separated from its head.

“Many people who came to scoop fuel from the fallen tanker lost their lives; there were more than 80. I suspect that the explosion must have occurred as a result of a spark because many residents brought metal containers to scoop. There were mechanic workshops where motorcycles and generators were repaired in the area,” he said.

Call for action

Speaking with this reporter, a senior lecturer at the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) in Zaria, Kaduna state, Dr. Ayola Adedeji, urged relevant authorities to take decisive measures to end tanker explosions in the country.

He said, “These recurring catastrophes, often resulting in significant loss of life and environmental damage, underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to curb this menace. Addressing the issue requires tackling systemic infrastructure, regulation, and public safety failures.

“Beyond the tears and condolences, it is time for Nigeria to implement decisive measures to prevent these disasters. The consequences of tanker explosions are staggering. Entire families are wiped out, businesses are destroyed, and communities are left to deal with toxic environmental fallouts.”

Infrastructure

In his suggestion, a logistics and transport manager at EAP Logistic, Chima Emordi, told this reporter that incessant tanker explosions in the nation’s highways were as a result of long years of infrastructure decay.

He said, “Tanker explosions are not merely accidents, but symptoms of deeper systemic failures. Decades of neglect in critical areas such as transportation infrastructure, regulation enforcement, driver training, and emergency preparedness have created the conditions for these disasters to thrive.

“Each explosion serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of inaction. Despite several reform pledges by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the roads are still awash with aged, poorly serviced tankers often unfit for the road. These vehicles, laden with highly flammable cargo, become ticking time bombs.

“Tankers have become a clear and present danger to the public. While the FRSC is busy with ringworm, leprosy is destroying Nigeria. Instead of taking serious action against the tankers/drivers, the FRSC is chasing after cars with faded number plates.

“The corps has been unable to enforce the installation of safety valves on tankers to check fuel spillage during accidents. The FRSC management has failed in this regard and cannot be absolved from blame for the explosions and loss of lives.

“Poor roads remain one of the primary causes of tanker accidents. The Abuja-Kaduna Expressway is notoriously shabby, instigating motor accidents. The government must prioritise the repair and expansion of highways. Dedicated lanes for heavy vehicles and bypasses can reduce the likelihood of accidents.”

Transportation

In his view, the Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Private Enterprise (CPE), Alfa Shaibu, decried the over reliance on the transportation of petroleum products by road.

He said, “The over-reliance on road transport for fuel distribution is a structural flaw. In the wake of recent calamities, there were conversations about the nightmare that fuel tanker drivers have become in the country, but nothing has been done to tackle the menace. In most countries, as we have repeatedly highlighted, petroleum products are transported through pipelines and not by putting thousands of vehicles on the road every day as we do in Nigeria.

“Investment in pipelines and rail networks can significantly reduce the number of tankers on the road, mitigating risks. Such investments demand immediate attention. The FRSC and relevant agencies in the oil sector must enforce stringent safety checks on tankers and drivers. Routine inspections, combined with severe penalties for violations, will deter negligence.

“Tanker drivers require specialised skills. So, mandatory training and periodic re-certification should be instituted. Transport unions must collaborate with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance.

“Communities must be educated on how to respond to tanker-related emergencies. Public awareness campaigns can save lives by teaching residents to evacuate promptly and avoid hazardous areas. Mourning is a natural response to losses, but this should be accompanied by action.”

Deaf ears?

A specialist in Petroleum Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Prof. Allwell Banigo, is unhappy with the recurring incidents.

He said, “I feel so sad that many Nigerians are ignorant of certain things to the point that they risk their lives. Poverty is never an excuse to risk your life. People must know that no matter how poverty-stricken they are, staying alive gives hope of something to come.

“When people see others scooping fuel because it is free, they forget that a spark is possible and will happen soon. No one should be risking their lives no matter how hard things might be. Nigerians must note this; anywhere they see a fallen tanker with fuel gushing from it, they must stay far away.

“Oftentimes, what people consider is what they are going to gain from the fuel they scoop. But they easily forget that it is most important to stay alive. Once there is a spark, everyone around the area is a goner!”

Fuel deadly, highly inflammable

Petrol, Prof. Banigo reminds all, is an inflammable material.

“Petrol being inflammable means that it can catch fire easily. When petrol burns, it undergoes a chemical reaction called combustion; that in itself, among other things, produces heat and carbon dioxide.

“Because of its nature, it easily sustains in the air; it burns in air with oxygen, such that when any spark occurs, it causes an inferno. People need to be highly educated that once they are near any inflammable material, they need to be very careful.

“The inferno that might follow might not necessarily be from someone striking a match. No! It might be from someone trying to make or answer a telephone call, or someone mistakenly striking metals together within the area. Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is so highly inflammable because of its peculiar chemical composition which easily attracts naked fire. It contains gases that can easily locate fire as long as it is close. It is different from diesel and kerosene. What is common to them is hydrocarbons. It attracts fire very easily,” he said.

He also warned people who make phone calls while staying close to petrol.

“When you make calls, there are emissions that are produced. This can actually, easily produce tiny naked fire that can set up real inferno. That is why you are warned not to make use of your cell phone at filling stations.”

CSO’s admonition

The executive secretary, Nigeria Transportation Commissioners Forum (NTCF), a civil society organisation, Angela Ubah, believes that relevant agencies of the government have not done enough to sensitise the people to always stay away from petrol fire disaster scenes.

She said, “The government has not done enough; otherwise why would anyone insist on scooping fuel from a place they ought to know that fire might occur soon? The Niger and Jigawa incidents shook me to my marrow. A tanker burst, and people went on to scoop petrol. What level of poverty has people come to?

“People must know that once there is such a fall, fire might follow. That is the chemistry of fuel. The incessant fuel-fire accidents make me sad. They are becoming too many, too often.

“In fact, the government orientation agencies have not done enough. They need the services, sympathy and co-operation of the media. Even the social media should be attracted, and solicited to get involved in fighting against the monster because it is taking a greater toll of lives in Nigeria.”

She also said the various government orientation agencies were taking things for granted, insisting that they must re-think their relationship with the media, and come up with ingenious ways of dealing with the challenge.

“Because we are 200 million in number does not mean that we should be losing too many people to things that are preventable like fuel fire. It is unfortunate.”

She called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in particular to begin to produce messages in local languages to educate people to stay away from potential petrol disaster scenes because more were surely going to happen in the days ahead.

“We need to come to their level. The victims, you must recall, are mainly people in the low class. Their challenge is a function of their exposure, education and poverty too.

“The government needs to get to their level and get them involved directly by speaking their language and getting them to understand the consequences of what they might do and eventually get killed. That is the best way to go!”

Emir’s plea, charge

Meanwhile, speaking when the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, led a federal government delegation on a condolence visit to his palace over the explosion, the Emir of Zazzau Suleja, Alhaji Awwal Ibrahim, urged the government to step up enlightenment campaigns to educate the citizens on the need to stay away from scenes of tanker accidents.

“I know that we are in the era of technology, but I advise the federal government to revert to the era where it gathers people at the emir’s palace and other public places to educate them on issues like this and other issues of public importance,” he said.

The monarch advised Nigerians not to risk their lives to scoop fuel from tankers involved in accidents, saying “it is a sign of greed.”