306 People Died from Tanker Explosion – FRSC
A report released by the Federal Road Safety Corps of Nigeria has revealed that, 306 Nigerians were killed as a result of tanker accidents and explosion on Nigerian roads this year.
Not less than 306 people lost their lives due to the numerous tanker explosions that happened on Nigerian roads in 2016.
Corp Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, made this known while speaking to newsmen, yesterday Friday. The corps Marshal revealed that as much as 338 petrol tankers were involved in road accidents which also lead to the destruction of 692 vehicles and the loss of not less than 306 persons.
The FRSC chief, who was speaking at the flag off of the Special End of Year 2016 Patrol in Makurdi Benue State, bemoaned that:
“306 people died from tanker explosions this year; losses from tanker crashes have been estimated to be causing the nation about N7billion annually.”
The FRSC Marshall, who was represented by Assistant Corps Marshal, Julius Asom, said the fight against the dilapidated state of Nigerian roads and the recklessness of drivers which was causing excessive loss of life, needed the support and contribution of all stakeholders in the country.
Also speaking at the event, chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Comrade John Shom, called on the Road safty corps to soft-pedal on her harsh treatment of innocent road users by the use of mobile court which had led to numerous accidents when motorists try to avoid men of the FRSC on the road.
The NURTW chairman called on the federal government to fix some of the dilapidated Nigerian roads so as to forestall further loss of lives.
Governor of Benue state, Samuel Ortom, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Transport, Mr. Toytange Akaagerger, said that the state government would soon establish centralized motor-parks in the three senatorial zones of the state to properly regulate activities of commercial vehicle operators in the state.
