Lagos Governor, Ambode summons tanker drivers and stakeholders to emergency meeting over tanker explosions

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has summoned petroleum products tanker drivers' union and stakeholders to an emergency meeting on Monday, June 8.

The meeting, Ambode said, would address the incessant petrol tanker-induced fires in the state.

The governor gave the directive on Saturday during a visit to the scene of the early morning petrol tanker fire at Idimu area of the state.

"I have directed that we will meet with the union of the tanker drivers and other agencies on Monday morning, and we must make pronouncements relating to the usage of our roads.

"This is another unfortunate accident within one week; unfortunate because we are beginning to lose a lot of our assets and properties," Ambode said.

Ambode also said it had become necessary to check the activities of the tanker drivers and enforce the state traffic laws.

He added:"We do not want this to repeat itself again. I have been briefed that there were two tanker drivers actually competing on the road as at midnight including a commercial bus.

"In the process, one of the tanker drivers conveying 33,000 litres of fuel lost control at the bend and spilled its content to as far as five streets."

34 houses and 70 shops were destroyed by the fire.

Ambode also commiserated with those affected by the fire and appealed to them to remain calm.

"We will do immediate relief and take enumeration to see how we can address this issue. We will do everything in our might to make sure that they go back to their normal lives," he said.

Credit: Nigerian Tribune