Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Anambra’s governor in waiting, in the little time he has before taking office in March, will be thinking hard how to put an end to Onitsha’s perennial oil tanker fires. The latest happened last Friday, less than 3 years after the one in October 2019. Onitsha is a famous market town in the state and the frquency of these fires is suspect. The Friday fire destroyed over 40 shops, according to eyewitnesses, as it spread rapidly through a section of the popular Relief Market as it is called. The source of the fire was a fallen tanker filled with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol. The accident occurred on Obodo-Ukwu road said to be in a bad condition. The tanker driver was believed to have lost control of the vehicle, rammed it into a building and it spilled it fuel content.
It was gathered that the traders sought the help of the Anambra State Fire Service but it came too late. The Anambra State Police Command’s spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the incident, said the petrol tanker was carrying fuel to Obodo-Ukwu when the accident occurred. “Information reveals that the fire is as a result of a tanker carrying fuel by Obodo-Ukwu junction along Onitsha river, Owerri road that fell. The situation is under control and is closely monitored. The Police and Fire Service are currently on the ground there.”
Both Anambra’s governor-elect and President Muhammadu Buhari have commiserated with victims of the fire. The latter, in a statement signed by his chief media spokesman Femi Adesina, directed Federal Government’s agencies, working with the State Government, to “give the necessary succor”, while also urging “public spirited individuals and corporate organizations to assist those whose means of livelihood have been affected by the unfortunate incidents.”
As we said in the beginning, the frequency of Onitsha’s market fires ought to weigh heavily on the incoming governor’s heart . We were right. In his reaction to the Jan. 29 fire, Soludo lamented the “incessant tanker explosions” in the Onitsha axis. However, he assured that “a lasting solution” would be found. The current trend could not continue, he said. What the lasting solution will be and how and where to find it are the questions he certainly will ask.
Firstly, he will have to think of a way to fix the bad road that has been causing oil tankers to fall and spill fuel. But will his incoming adminitration be able to raise the money to repair the damage? Not certain. The present government has been able to do that, maily because it is a federal road and the capital outlay it requires is huge. However, he can do this: clear the road of illegal levy collectors who take advantage of the condition of the road to exhtort motorists. The driver of the oil tanker that fell and exploded was believed to have been trying to evade those tax collectors when his vehicle fell into a ditch and caught fire. This he can do when he takes power.
