LASEMA averts disaster as tanker loaded with 45,000 litres of PMS crashes

Obalolu Darasimi

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) averted what could have been a major disaster as it recovered a fully loaded tanker with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at Isimi Lagos inward Itokin, Epe, Lagos.

Explaining the incident, the LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed that the agency received a distress call at 10:19 a.m.; the agency’s LRT Beta Whales Team stationed at Epe was immediately activated and dispatched to the incident scene.

According to the PS, the tanker, with registration number T-18212LA, crashed into a stationary Ford pickup van loaded with animal feed, with registration number KJA-13FJ.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the tanker, while attempting to manoeuvre past the stationary Ford pickup van which had developed a mechanical fault along the carriageway, had one of its rear tyres slip into a pit, causing it to overturn and fall onto the pickup van, leading to spillage of its highly inflammable contents onto the roadway,” the PS explained.

In collaboration with the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, LNSC, the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and the Nigeria Police Force, promptly secured the incident perimeter, implemented traffic control and diversion measures, and deployed safety protocols to prevent a secondary incident.

“As a proactive measure to mitigate the risk of fire outbreak, the fallen tanker and its immediate surroundings were blanketed with chemical foam by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, while the affected section of the road was temporarily closed to vehicular movement to ensure public safety.

“Through seamless coordination and professional execution, the transloading of the remaining PMS from the accidented tanker to an empty tanker was completed without incident. Subsequently, with the aid of a private tow truck, both the accidented tanker and the affected Ford pickup van were recovered off the roadway and taken to Ketu Police Station. The road has since been reopened and is now free for vehicular activities,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

Neither loss of life nor injury was recorded in the incident.

Oke-Osanyintolu commended the swift response and synergy of all emergency responders whose professionalism averted what could have resulted in a major disaster.

He also reiterated the commitment of the Lagos State Government under the leadership of Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to the continuous strengthening of emergency preparedness, rapid response capacity, and protection of lives and property across the State.

The Permanent Secretary appealed to motorists, particularly drivers of heavy-duty vehicles and tankers conveying combustible products, to ensure their vehicles are in good mechanical condition, adhere strictly to traffic regulations, and exercise utmost caution on Lagos roads. Members of the public are encouraged to report any emergency or road incident promptly via the 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines for immediate intervention.