GOMBE FIRE SERVICE CAUTIONS AGAINST SCOOPING FUEL AT ACCIDENT SCENES

Read Time:1 Minute, 50 Second

BY OWOLABI OLUWADARA

The Federal Fire Service, Gombe State Command, on Wednesday issued a warning to residents regarding the perilous practice of collecting fuel at accident sites, in light of a series of tanker collisions within the state.

Discussing the incidents, the State Fire Controller, Deputy Controller Suleiman Mohammed, reported that three tanker-related occurrences were documented within the initial nine days of September, emphasizing that the Command’s personnel acted promptly in response to the latest incident, averting a significant disaster.

“The prompt action of our staff ensured that the truck was securely contained and transported to Gombe. Without that intervention, we might be reporting a national catastrophe.

“The first incident took place on September 2 at the Railway Crossing along the Gombe–Bajoga Road, mere meters from the Gombe Graveyard. On September 5, another collision was documented along the Gombe–Biu Road, while the most recent incident occurred on September 9 along the Gombe–Kano Road near the Bozonshilwa District in the Dukku Local Government Area,” he detailed.

While strongly advising residents against the impulse to collect fuel whenever such incidents happen, he added, “Collecting fuel is an extremely hazardous act. It endangers lives, property, and entire communities. We implore the public to refrain from approaching accident scenes and allow trained professionals to execute their duties. ”

He also called for heightened caution on the roadways, underscoring the significance of safety and prevention.

“Our shared objective is to cultivate a fire-resilient society. That responsibility does not solely lie with the Fire Service but with every individual who must eschew dangerous behavior,” he noted.

The Federal Government, via the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, had previously indicated that it may enforce a prohibition on trucks with a capacity of 60,000 liters, preventing them from operating on Federal highways.

This development follows the rising number of fatalities resulting from petrol tanker accidents, which has claimed the lives of 493 individuals over the past three years.

The government, in a proposal to stakeholders, aims to limit tankers to a maximum capacity of 45,000 liters.

It stated that this ban is part of a potential recommendation intended to reduce fatalities from petroleum tanker accidents to zero.