Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday visited the scene of a petrol tanker explosion in Iyana -Ipaja area of the state.
Properties worth several millions of naira were destroyed in the ensuing inferno.
The governor blamed the frequent tanker explosions in the state on carelessness and indiscipline of truck drivers, saying the trend must stop.
He said, “As at 1am this morning, a tanker loaded with 33,000litres of petrol fell from Ipaja Bridge and spilled all its contents within the environs of Ipaja, covering almost five streets from here.
“In the last four hours, all our emergency agencies have been effectively on ground and we have been able to manage and control consequences of what 33,000 litres of petrol would have done to this neighbourhood.
“Thank God, there has not been any loss of lives, but again, there were victims whose shops were destroyed”.
“As at the last count, the agencies have been able to report that everything had been put under control. We’ve also recorded two other incidences, just like this one in other parts of Lagos overnight, one in Badagry and the other one in Ojo area of the state”.
“It would also mean that our tanker drivers have to start to do something about their operations. We cannot continue to record loss of lives and properties because our tanker drivers are not disciplined.”
The governor said the state government would assist those that lost properties in the incident to return back to business.
“I would receive the report of the fire incident in the next 48 hours and we would ensure we do something positively to ensure that lives return to normal,” he said.
