NEMA Sensitises Kano Residents, Tanker Drivers to Dangers of Fuel Explosions
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), on Wednesday, conducted a public awareness and simulation exercise on fuel tanker accidents and explosions in Kano.
Dr. Nuradeen Abdullahi, the NEMA Kano/Jigawa Territorial Coordinator, said the exercise was part of NEMA’s ongoing efforts to enhance public awareness, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and promote safety measures.
He added that the initiative also aimed to prevent and mitigate the devastating impact of tanker explosions, “which have become a recurring and serious hazard in urban and transit areas.”
While at the NNPC Depot in Hotoro, Kano, Abdullahi said the essence of the exercise was to sensitise tanker drivers to the dangers of fire accidents.
“Disaster management is a multi-agency, multi-sectoral, and multi-disciplinary issue,” he added.
He stressed the need for proactive and joint response efforts and advised drivers to drive safely and avoid drug use, while urging the public to refrain from scooping petroleum in the event of an accident.
Alhaji Isyaku Abdullahi-Kubarachi, the Executive Secretary of the Kano State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), particularly urged trailer drivers to apply the knowledge gained from the simulation and to always remain drug-free behind the wheel.
He commended the stakeholders and frontline fuel transport operators, saying, “Your role is absolutely critical, not just in keeping our economy running, but in ensuring public safety.”
On his part, Mr. Abubakar Idris-Ahmad, the Kano State Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), advised tanker drivers to avoid carrying drugs.
Represented by Mr. Bulus Musa, the Deputy Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA, he said, “Combining fuel and drugs is like putting fire into one container. It will definitely lead to recklessness and carelessness, resulting in pandemonium.”
Alhaji Sanin Malam, the Chairman of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (Kano Branch) of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, described the exercise as timely.
He explained, “Our union has rules. Any driver found taking drugs will not be given a tanker to drive, and driving at night is against our rules. Anyone found guilty will be penalised.”
Also, the Controller of the Federal Fire Service in Kano State, Mr. Khazeem Sholadoye-Oyefola, said the sensitisation would go a long way in preventing accidents and fire outbreaks, especially on major roads.
“Carelessness is the major cause of fire, apart from drugs,” he noted.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured live demonstrations on emergency response to fuel spills and fire outbreaks by the Fire Service, Red Cross, FRSC, NEMA, and other agencies.
NAN also reports that the agency conducted a stakeholders’ engagement and debriefing, during which various stakeholders shared their views on how to mitigate such outbreaks and accidents.
Dr. Suleiman Yunus, from the Department of Geography, Bayero University Kano (BUK), presented a paper titled “Preventing Fuel Tanker Accidents and Related Fire Disasters: A Call for Public Awareness and Inter-Agency Collaboration”, among other presentations.
NAN
The post NEMA Sensitises Kano Residents, Tanker Drivers to Dangers of Fuel Explosions appeared first on Kano Times.
