The Honourable Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has visited the scene of the recent tanker inferno in Rivers State, where he sympathized with the government and people of the state, as well as the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic incident.
The Minister, who cut short his programme in Lagos to visit the scene, condemned the recklessness of the two drivers involved in the accident, which occurred at the Indoroma-Aleto bridge axis of East-West road, Eleme in Rivers State. He called for enhanced enforcement of driving rules and road safety checks, especially for heavy-duty vehicles.
Umahi also absolved the Federal Government and the construction company, Renolds Construction Company (RCC) Nigeria Ltd, of any negligence, stating that construction work in the area was progressing well and meeting quality standards.
The Minister’s visit came after a tanker truck carrying petroleum products collided with a trailer driver on Friday, 26th April 2024, resulting in fatalities and several vehicles being left in flames. The incident occurred at about 8pm at the Eleme Junction- Onne Port in Rivers State, which is part of the ongoing reconstruction of the dualized 15km section of the East-West road being handled by RCC Ltd.
The Minister’s visit and statement aim to address the concerns of the affected families and the public, while also emphasizing the need for stricter safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
