The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in partnership with key stakeholders, has launched a public sensitisation campaign to prevent tanker fire explosions and other fire-related incidents across the South-East.
The event, focused on tanker and fire accident prevention, was held at Ishieke Motor Park in Abakaliki and was organized by the NEMA Enugu Operations Office.
In her keynote address, NEMA Director General Mrs. Zubaida Umar, represented by Mrs. Ngozi Echeazu, Head of the Enugu Operations Office, thanked all participants and stakeholders in attendance.
Umar emphasized NEMA’s commitment to disaster risk reduction and proactive safety measures to “check avoidable loss of lives and destruction of property/environment.”
She also issued a warning to drivers: “Drive responsibly as life has no duplicate and in event of emergency they should demonstrate humanity by saving lives.”
Additionally, she strongly condemned practices like scooping fuel from tankers and filming disasters instead of assisting.
Umar outlined key prevention strategies, including:
Regular maintenance of tankers and trucks
Continuous training and retraining of tanker drivers
Repair of bad roads
Enforcement of safety protocols
She urged participants to share the information with their families, colleagues, and communities through townhall and church meetings.
Representing Governor Francis Nwifuru, Commissioner for Human Capital Development Mrs. Ann Aligwe praised NEMA, EBSEMA, and other stakeholders for their dedication.
She recalled with sorrow the tragic tanker explosion at Ugwu‑Onyeama on January 25, 2025, which claimed 23 lives, including 11 members of a single family in Ebonyi alone.
Describing the event as “apt,” she affirmed, “Enebobi State Government will continue to support programmes that promote safety of lives and property while building sustainable development.”
EBSEMA Executive Secretary Chief Clement Ovuoba also lauded the strong turnout and stressed the importance of a proactive disaster management approach that emphasizes “prevention, mitigation and preparation.”
He encouraged participants to spread the message widely and ensure that “no one is left out.”
FRSC Superintendent Route Commander, Chukwuemeka Ukachukwu, who delivered a lecture on “Safe Driving Practices for Tanker Drivers and Other Drivers”
Engr. R. E. Ibiam, who covered “Fire Prevention/Management and Fire Extinguishers Handling”
Mr. Ifeanyi Egbo of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, who demonstrated basic first aid techniques
During the event, flyers on fire prevention and safety tips—available in both English and Igbo—were distributed to motorists, keke drivers, bystanders, and participants.
Participants, including members from the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC), Police, NSCDC, Petroleum Tanker Drivers, IPMAN, NUPENG, commercial tricycle operators, town union presidents, and community members, expressed appreciation for the sensitisation and urged that such programmes continue periodically.
