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232 Perish In Tanker Fire: Jonathan Orders Succour For Survivors …Amaechi Directs Full Investigation
An estimated 232 people were in the early hours of yesterday burnt beyond recognition, while several others with different degrees of injuries were rushed to Ahoada General Hospital and private clinics within the area for emergency treatment following a petrol tanker fire.
Also burnt were 22 motorcycles, a bus, and personal property worth thousands of naira, but the Oando filling station within the vicinity was spared.
The Tide gathered that the incident occurred at about 6.30 am, when a Hiace Bus with registration number XZ 613 AGC, Lagos, loaded with passengers while trying to overtake, a Toyota Corrola car with registeration No RQ 218 AAA Delta, hit it at the rear, which made its driver to lose control.
The tanker driver loaded with fuel which was coming in the opposite direction apparently saw the Toyota driver , struggling with the steering and while trying to avoid a head-on collision, ran into a ditch, and tumbled.
Villagers around the area, on getting wind of the incident, rushed to the scene to scoop the fuel inside the tanker, but a phone call placed by one of them, inviting his friends to come for the “free fuel” which was believed to have ignited the inferno.
When The Tide visited the scene, thousands of sympathisers were seen weeping for the loss of their loved ones, while members of the Police Force, Joint Task Force (JTF), Federal Road Safety Corps, and Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps were there controlling traffic and evacuating the victims.
The arrival of Rivers State Fire Service, one hour later could not savage the situation.
Ahoada General Hospital, Gbeye, Zion and Okpedem clinics were fully booked with the victims, while those whose conditions were critical were referred to either Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital or University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for emergency treatment.
The Rivers State emergency medical ambulances numbering over 10 were also seen evacuating the injured, but the charred bodies of those burnt were still left scattered around the vicinity.
The FRSC Commander in charge of Ahoada zone, Mr Amadi Adedoyin, who was also at the scene attributed the incident to impatience on the part of the Hiace driver, saying that villagers acted in bad faith for trying to scoop fuel without minding the dangers involved.
He could not say categorically the number of the victims but said “you can see that we are trying to salvage the situation, it is after this, that we can know the total number of the victims”.
However, both the Area Commander of Police in Ahoada zone, Mr Mike Okoli and Sector Commander of JTF, Lt. Col NS Idris, who expressed shock at the magnitude of the incident, however, appealed to people to stop illegal dealings on petroleum products because of its inherent danger to both humanity and the environment.
The Federal Road Safety Commission said yesterday it had recovered 95 bodies from the area where a tanker burst into flames at Okogbe, Rivers State.
FRSC Sector Commander for Rivers State, Kayode Olagunju, said the bodies were recovered as at 11.45a.m at the village, 11 kilometres from Ahoada-Mbiama, in Ahoada West Local Government Area.
According to him, four vehicles, including the tanker, were involved in a crash early yesterday, but the tanker caught fire when the people rushed for “free fuel.”.
“Thirty-four motorcycles also got burnt,” he added.
Sources told The Tide that the fuel tanker was reported to have broken down overnight on a road in the area and was gushing fuel.
A large crowd of people reportedly gathered around the tanker, scooping fuel leaking from the tanker. According to an eyewitness, while the scooping of fuel was on, the tanker exploded.
The fire that broke out from the explosion consumed scores of persons at the spot.
The spokesman of the Rivers State Police Command, Ben Ugwuegbulam, who confirmed the incident, said that “early this morning, a tanker loaded with petrol fell in Okogbe and people trooped to the scene obviously to scoop the spilled fuel, and suddenly there was fire, resulting in casualties.”
In a statement, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) gave the same figures.
The Tide learnt that many of those killed were commercial motorcycle operators, known locally as Okada, who raced to fill up their tanks after learning of the crash.
Olagunju said at least 34 motorcycles were destroyed in the blaze.
Motorcycle rider, Kingsley Jafure said the vehicle collision occurred at roughly 6:00 am, and the spilled petrol caught fire about 90 minutes later, but that time sequence could not be immediately confirmed by officials.
“At about 7:30 while I was inside trying to decide whether to go (scoop fuel) or not, that was when I saw that the tanker exploded,” Jafure said.
The area had been cordoned off by security forces and a large number of rescue officials were on the ground.
The NEMA statement said “rescue workers from the police, road safety, fire service, civil defence and NEMA were at the scene to evacuate victims and control the traffic.”
Major accidents, often involving large-haul trucks, are common in Nigeria, where many of the roads are in terrible condition.
Lorries operating on the country’s roads are often old and poorly maintained and road worthiness checks are scant.
Abandoned trucks, some of them destroyed by heavy collisions, can regularly be seen along major Nigerian motorways.
In March, a petrol tanker caught fire after skidding off the road in southern Port Harcourt, killing six people and injuring several others.
While in April last year, a fuel tanker overturned at an army checkpoint in central Nigeria, sparking an inferno in which some 50 people were killed.
But the Traditional Ruler of the Igbuduya clan in Ekpeye, Ahoada West, His Royal Highness,Eze Joshua Eyiba said the victims were not scooping fuel but helping accident victims who were trapped in the bus.
He blamed the Federal Government for not giving adequate attention to East/West Road which he said on daily basis claims lives of Niger Deltans.
Eyiba who few weeks ago threatened to go on hunger strike over the deplorable condition of the road, said if the road had been in order, the accident couldn’t have happened.
However, speaking on condition of anonymity, a top official of Civil Defence Corps, said his members took time to count both the dead which he put at exactly 230.
According to him, among those strugglying to survive who were rushed to traditional healing homes were, Okogbe 11 people, Uyakama, 12 and Ogbologbo 10.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday ordered that relief materials be provided for survivors of the Ikogbe petrol tanker disaster.
While describing the incident as unfortunate, President Jonathan commiserated with families that lost loved ones and urged proper medical care for survivors.
Similarly, Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, has ordered a full investigation into the petrol tanker fire incident at Ula-Okogbe, Ahaoda West Local Government Area of the state in which several lives were lost.
“We must stop this needless loss of lives” said the Governor, who also directed that no cost must be spared to ensure the best medical attention and care for the wounded victims.
Governor Amaechi who condoled with the families of those who lost their lives in the incident at Ula-Okogbe in the Ahoada West Local Government Area of the State, also expressed regret over the avoidable tragedy.
The governor commended the members of the public who assisted in the rescue operations as well as the federal and state agencies involved in the rescue operations.
He also advised people of the state to always be safety conscious as nothing was worth the sanctity of life.
Meanwhile, about 120 of the dead have been given mass burial near the site of the incident. The mass burial was supervised by Eze Eyiba and other traditional rulers who gave support to government officers, FRSC, NSCDCA, NEMA and other agencies on hand to evacuate victims and ensure free flow of traffic at the scene.
Scene of the petrol tanker fire at Okogbe in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of Rivers State which claimed the lives of 232 persons, yesterday
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DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.