Sequel to the recent fire incident that claimed five lives and destroyed over 120 vehicles, a resident of Rivers State, Blessing Tiene has proposed that underground tunnels be constructed for tankers carrying inflammable products to utilize.

In a chat with Kristina Reports on Sunday, April 28, 2024 along the Eleme axis of the East-West Road, Tiene, a motorist, said that the roads are not safe anymore because of these tankers, and lives are lost on a daily basis.

She pleaded with both the Federal and Rivers State governments to create separate roads for tankers to move with their products, stressing that this would scale the safety levels on the available roads and save lives.

“I am always of the opinion that tankers shouldn’t be on the same road with normal vehicles, if possible they should move underground and the way they are jam-packed on the road is not safe”

She further pleaded that government should ensure that tankers are stopped from parking along the roads with normal vehicles.

“Just as trains move on their own route, they shouldn’t be in the same space with pedestrians, because if it is sunny day and there’s heat everywhere, it’s not safe and when fuel is in the tank. It’s very dangerous.”

Speaking also to Kristina Reports, an indigene of Eleme LGA, who pleaded anonymity, said that there should be a time frame for these tankers to move.

“If e go good like this, make dem dey waka for midnight alone. Na them dey even cause hold up. Make e be say na for night when everybody don go house go rest, dem fit do their waka.

“And then, make dem no dey speed. Na speed nai cause this problem. I no know where dem dey rush go.”

A tanker carrying premium motor spirit (PMS) along the Eleme axis of the East-West Road adjacent to Indorama Petrochemical complex spilled its content which led to a fire outbreak destroying over 120 vehicles and claiming five lives.