Tank-Farm Explosion: We Will Not Spare Culprits – Jime

By David Agba Abuja

Th e Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Hon. Emmanuel Jime, has declared that the Authority will not spare anyone or any fi rm found guilty in the tank-farm explosion at the Calabar Free Trade Zone (CFTZ) on July 17, 2017. Jime made the declaration while addressing staff on the preparedness and resolve of the new management to promote safety consciousness in the Free Zones across the country. A visibly saddened Jime told staff : “Th e Calabar tank-fi re is a tragedy that must not be allowed to repeat.

It was not just a sad day for NEPZA, but equally a sad day for the people of Cross River state and Nigeria at large. “Th e date toll was 10 was April 17 on the day I visited the accidentscene. I have been told it has now risen to 13. Anyone would be appalled at this preventable loss of human lives, but for some of us who hold human life particularly sacred, it’s a veritable complete nightmare.”

Saying that was why the Authority must get to the root of the matter, and also bring the culprits From left, Vice President/Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Sola Oyetayo, representative of the Minister of Science And Technology, Professor Gloria Elemo, LCCI President, Mrs. Nike Akande and Minister of Communication, Barrister Adebayo Shittu, during the opening ceremony of the 2017 LCCI Information Technology (ICTEL) Expo, in Lagos recently Photo: Sunday Eshiet to book, he recalled how his fi rst trip to Calabar upon assumption of offi ce was something of a festivity, the managing director emphasized that resolving the mystery of the fi re disaster was a duty the living owe the dead.

“We must use this ugly incident to devise a comprehensive template of human safety, environmental protection, compliance and enforcement, regular environmental impact assessments, enhanced monitoring and controls etc. I am glad to announce to you that the committee is about rounding off its work, and the report would be submitted any moment from now.” It would be recalled that following the fatal fi re incident, the managing director travelled to Calabar to inspect the damage as well as empathize and commiserate with the survivors who were receiving treatment at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH)

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