By Martins Abochol
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Thursday in Jalingo, launched an awareness campaign against tanker explosion and fire incidents in Adamawa and Taraba states.
Hajiya Zubaida Umar, Director General of NEMA, while launching the campaign at the Stakeholders Engagement Awareness on Tankers/Fire Accidents in Adamawa and Taraba, said that the awareness became crucial due to the devastating effects of tanker explosions and fire incidents on communities.
Represented by Mr Giwa Kurutsi, Head of Search and Rescue, Yola Operation Office said that the initiative was aimed at safeguarding the lives and property of the people.
“It is critical to acknowledge that tanker accidents not only endanger the lives of those involved but also pose a significant risk to the wider community and the environment.
“Our planned initiatives will include workshops, awareness programmes and community outreaches.
“This will feature critical training sessions focused on fire prevention, emergency response and effective communication strategies,” he said.
The Director General commended all stakeholders for the engagement.
In his remark, Assistant Controller Yakubu Fungus, Controller of Federal Fire Service in Taraba advised tanker drivers to be cautious of driving rules as well as safety measures while driving.
Fungus said that the service was always ready to respond to fire incidents.
Alhaji Dahiru Modibbo, Chairman of NUPENG, Taraba branch called on the Federal government to fix all roads to reduce accidents.
Moddibo also called on the Federal government to reduce the number of checkpoints on the highway to further reduce accidents.
He said that the union had guided against giving their vehicles to drunks.
He noted that their members were direct victims of tanker explosions, commending NEMA for the campaign.
Also speaking, Alhaji Ahmed Isa, representative of the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), appealed to Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba to complete the trailer pàrk project in Jalingo.
Isa said that Taraba was the only state that had no trailer pàrk, adding that parking of heavy-duty trucks along highways was risky to road users.
The Federal Road Safety Corps, the National Orientation Agency, the Red Cross, and the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency, among other stakeholders, attended the campaign.
