Tinubu, Fubara, Disu mourn as 5 persons, 120 cars burnt to ashes in Rivers inferno

.Tragedy unfortunate, sad episode for the state –Gov

Emmanuel Nlewedum, Port Harcourt

President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the fire incident caused by an articulated vehicle conveying petroleum product at the Eleme section of the East-West Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Commiserating with the government and people of Rivers State on the tragedy, which resulted in the loss of precious lives and property, President Tinubu prays for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident.
A statement by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity added that the “President directs federal agencies in the state to continue liaising with the state government to provide the much-needed immediate support to all victims of the incident.
“The President commends the first responders in Rivers state for their bravery and dedication in assisting those affected by the accident, and expresses confidence that stricter safety regulations for the transportation of petroleum products will be implemented to prevent such tragedies in the future”.
Also, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, said the state is sad over the fire incident which burnt about 5 persons and about 120 vehicles beyond recognition and destroyed properties worth billions of naira.
The accident, reportedly occurred when a tanker conveying premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol was trying to navigate one of the many bad spots along the Eleme axis of the East-West road, ran into a truck spilling its contents on the sloppy road and causing a huge explosion.
The incident occurred between Indorama Gate and Aleto Bridge on the popular and ever busy Eleme section of the East-West Road now undergoing major reconstruction by the Federal Government.
Fubara expressed his sadness at the gory sights that he saw when he visited the scene of the incident, accompanied by the State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, and the State Commissioner for Energy and Natural Resources, Mr Uchechukwu Nwafor.
The Governor commiserated with those who lost their loved ones and others whose vehicles and properties were burnt, adding that the State government mourns and grieves with them.
Describing the incident as a sad episode and unfortunate situation that caused the state a devastating loss, the governor promised that the state government will cushion the effects of the accident on the bereaved families.
Fubara said: “We are here to see for ourselves and get a first hand information of the incident of what happened yesterday night. we got information of the gravity of the incident at about 7:30 – 8pm.
“From what we saw this morning, it was not a pleasant case. We recorded a huge number of vehicles being destroyed and lives lost. I can tell you, I’ve not been happy since then. With all the dramas in our State, it is not even proper for us to add that to it.
“But it wasn’t our fault. It was just what impatience caused. The tanker driver, knowing the state of that road was not patient, and it resulted in that colossal loss. Over 120 vehicles were completely burnt and five lives were lost. It was very unfortunate.”
Also, the Rivers State Commissioner Police, CP Olatunji Disu also commiserated with families that lost their loved ones, and residents who lost their properties worth billions of naira in the inferno, describing the incident as unfortunate and sad.
An eyewitness, Mr Bariboma who narrowly escaped the incident last night however told newsmen that casualties were more than a dozen as many drivers and passengers were stuck in their vehicles when the tanker exploded.