We’re working to end tanker explosion on highways – FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps has expressed worry at the frequent tanker explosions on the highways, especially bridges, across the country.

The Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, described as unfortunate but avoidable, the fatal crash that occurred Saturday 7 November, 2020 on the Kara bridge along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway but stressed that “frantic efforts are already in place to put an end to tanker explosions.”

A statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, reported the corps marshal as saying this after receiving reports of the crash.

He stated that the road traffic crash involved a tanker fully laden with petrol, adding that the crash investigation carried out by a team of the FRSC personnel deployed for rescue operations revealed that the driver lost control of the wheels as a result of mechanical deficiency (tyre blow out), making the tanker to fall on the expressway and it resulted in an inferno.

“From the crash investigation report submitted, a total of two male adults were killed and burnt beyond recognition, while a wanton destruction of properties occasioned by the fire also left 29 vehicles parked by the road side burnt down completely,” the statement added.

Oyeyemi also lamented the actions of hoodlums who prevented the combined rescue teams of the Federal Fire Service and the FRSC from approaching the scene of the crash.

The corps marshal said the corps was seriously engaging critical stakeholders and making frantic efforts to find lasting solution to tanker explosions on the road.                                  He called on the governments at all levels to expedite action towards working out modalities that would support and hasten existing efforts towards fleet renewal as most of the articulated vehicles were aged.

According to him, arrangements are being stepped up to enforce compulsory use of safety valves to prevent spillage after fall of tankers.