Omiete Blessing
The National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Pyrates Confraternity, has called for a serious investigation to unravel the causes of accident on the Eleme-Onne Expressway in Rivers State, particularly the recent oil tanker explosion on same road
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The Second Mate, Olympus Marino Deck, Port Harcourt chapter of NAS, Mr Ilochi Nnamdi, who made the call yesterday, while speaking with journalists Port Harcourt, noted that “the incident was a preventable catastrophe exacerbated by the deplorable state of the road and the congestion caused by a nearby police
checkpoint”.
Recalled that the accident which occurred on April 26, 2024, claimed the lives of scores of persons, and caused the loss of properties worth millions of Naira.
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Nnamdi said the poorly maintained Eleme-Onne Expressway has long been a cause for concern, with its potholes and uneven surfaces creating hazardous conditions for motorists.
Considering possible causes of accident on the road, the group called on the relevant arms of government at the State and Federal levels to expedite action on the ongoing repair works or reconstruction of the road and to launch an immediate investigation to determine the cause of the incident to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Nnamdi noted the need to “Determine the role of the police checkpoint in contributing to the congestion that led to the accident or its escalation, to provide for improved traffic management and road safety measures at such checkpoints.
“Evaluating the safety standards and practices of tanker operators to ensure compliance with regulations and to identify any areas for improvement in the transportation of hazardous materials.
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“Assessing the mitigating impact if an effective emergency firefighting system were located around or along the Eleme-Onne Road because heavy-duty inflammable substance-carrying vehicles ply that road frequently daily.”
The Olympus Marino Deck further demands for “Ugent need for improved emergency response systems that are required to ensure rapid and effective response to accidents. This includes situating a fire service station around and along that road to be manned by adequately trained personne”.
They also demanded that, “Safety protocols should be established to manage traffic flow and prevent congestion near such checkpoints. The launching of public awareness campaigns to educate motorists about safe driving practices d the importance of adhering to traffic regulations”.