The Nigerian Governors’ Forum has disclosed that discussions are progressing among the 36 state governors and strategic federal agencies in the oil and gas industry regarding the adoption of safer methods for transporting petroleum products across the country.
The Chairman of the forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, revealed this on Sunday during a visit to Government House, Port Harcourt to offer condolences to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people, and Government of Rivers State following a tanker inferno on Friday night.
The tragic incident, which occurred on the Indorama-Aleto bridge axis of the East-West Road in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, resulted in the loss of five lives and the destruction of over 120 vehicles.
AbdulRazaq highlighted a similar tragedy in Ogun State caused by a tanker carrying compressed natural gas that also claimed lives.
He described the events in Rivers State as a significant loss and mentioned that his meeting with Governor Fubara allowed for peer review discussions on these recurring incidents.
“I came over to commiserate with the government and people of Rivers State over the tanker fire incident and the subsequent huge loss of lives. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.
“We have peer review discussions over it. And similar incident happened in Ogun State as well, which you are aware of, and that’s a CNG tanker, Rivers State was petrol tanker.
“We also spoke with the Head of the Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency, and there will be a review of some laws. There will also be engagement between the Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency and State Agencies in terms of ensuring health and safety on these issues.
“As you know, Nigeria relies a lot, virtually, on pipelines for the movement of petroleum products, and we need to strengthen regulations in that sector, and also emphasize on improving and expanding pipelines for the transportation of products as well,” he said.
