Rivers Tanker Fire: Umahi Cautions Road Users against Hard Drugs, Recklessness
Absolves FG, contractor of complicity
Minister of Works, Mr Dave Umahi, has cautioned drivers and other road users against the use of hard drugs and other substances that could make them reckless while driving.
The minister gave the advice in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital shortly after inspecting the scene of the tanker fire incident, which claimed lives with over 70 vehicles burnt along the Onne section of the East-West Road in the state.
Umahi, who said the cause of the incident was typical of persons consuming Mkpurumiri (ice) and other hard drugs, sympathised with the Rivers State Government and families of the victims of the explosion.
He clarified that the accident was not caused by any failure on the side of the federal government or Construction Company, Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) as being peddled by some persons.
"Firstly, my sympathy goes to all the families of the victims for the unfortunate loss which can't be recovered and to the government and people of Rivers State, I extend my sympathy to them.
"When somebody is dead, we are no longer talking about who is right and who is wrong because life can't be recovered. One funny person that says he's a president of Ogoni Youth Federation or whatever he calls himself made a very careless and inciting statement.
"Yes, the bridge there that we are reconstructing, there were very large and upto 16 meters wide of diversion that we made over the past year and that's where vehicles are following and he made a very nasty statement trying to blame the contractor, Reynolds Construction Company, and blame the federal government and even said he was going to the International Criminal Court.
"Now the accident was caused, as I was briefed by the carelessness of two drivers, who were struggling for right of way. They were competing with their lives and the trailer and tanker that have fuel now collided.
"I think that the road safety should mount a number of checkpoints to examine people against 'Mkpurumiri' (ice) and other hard drugs because it is only 'Mkpurumiri' and other hard drugs that can make you use your life to compete and that's what happened.”