The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a strong warning to Nigerians against the dangerous practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, stating that it has resulted in numerous deaths and the destruction of property.
Speaking during a sensitisation programme held on Wednesday in Akinyele Local Government Area (LGA) of Ibadan, the agency’s Head of Operations in Ibadan, Mr. Kadiri Olanrewaju, emphasized the urgent need to curb the deadly trend.
The awareness campaign, organised in collaboration with the Oyo State Emergency Management Agency (OYSEMA) and other key stakeholders, aimed to enlighten residents on the dangers of tanker fire accidents.
Olanrewaju explained that Akinyele LGA was chosen due to its strategic position as a major route for trailers travelling from the northern to southern parts of the country.
“These agencies felt that it was necessary to bring this important message to critical stakeholders in communities under the Akinyele LGA, where we have major trailer parks,” he said.
“The campaign kick-started in Ogun; we will soon move to Osun. The focus is to drive strong sensitisation against the scooping of fuel at the grassroots level, especially for local governments along the trailer routes to reduce needless loss of lives and property.”
He also called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other relevant agencies to step up enforcement against underage driving and ensure proper certification and retraining of drivers to improve safety on the roads.
In her remarks, the Administrative Secretary of OYSEMA, Mrs. Ojuolape Busari, said that Community Development Associations (CDAs) were involved in the campaign to help extend the reach of the message.
Busari expressed concern that people still engage in fuel scooping because there are no stringent penalties in place.
“Apart from the risk of fire outbreak that may occur during the practice, it is stealing, which is a serious offence,” she said, urging lawmakers to introduce stiffer sanctions for offenders.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of Akinyele LGA, Hon. Akinwole Akinyele, suggested shifting long-distance fuel transportation from tankers to railways to reduce accidents. He advocated for a comprehensive review of policies governing road safety and fire services.
“The attendant costs of tanker fire accidents have been huge, both in terms of the high number of fatalities and the loss or destruction of property, environmental damage, and public infrastructure,” he stated.
The programme featured technical sessions and presentations from officials of the FRSC, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Fire Service, as well as traditional rulers and market leaders, all geared toward raising awareness and preventing further tragedies.
