By Gloria Ogbonna
A petroleum tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, encountered an incident on Monday along Fajuyi road near Ilesa motor park in Ile-Ife. The tanker, affiliated with BOVAS filling station, was en route to Moore Area for unloading when it unexpectedly toppled over.
Upon a visit to the scene by a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reporter, it was confirmed that the driver emerged unharmed. However, the fallen tanker had spilled fuel extensively, prompting security operatives to cordon off the area.
Eyewitness Ibrahim Salam described the incident, noting that the tanker fell while attempting to cross a road leading to Moore Area, where the filling station is situated. Salam expressed gratitude that there were no reported injuries or property damage.
Mr. Adeyinmi Adeleye, the Principal Fire Superintendent 2 and Zonal Commander of Ife Zonal Fire Station, informed NAN that their immediate focus was preventing any attempts to extract petrol from the tanker, minimizing the risk of a fire outbreak. Adeleye emphasized that their current approach was to assess the situation, acknowledging the challenging road conditions in the area with slopes and hazardous turns.
Highlighting the possibility of overspeeding in the sloped region, Adeleye advised petroleum tanker and heavy truck drivers to exercise caution when navigating through the area. He further urged citizens to evacuate promptly, emphasizing the potential danger of a widespread flame that could lead to casualties.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and safety measures in handling hazardous materials, underscoring the collaborative efforts of emergency responders and security operatives in averting potential disasters.
Vanguard
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