Cigarette stub sparked Ojuelegba tanker fire – Govt

The Lagos State Government yesterday revealed to the public how a cigarette stub from a yet-to-be identified smoker sparked the fallen fuel tanker which spilled it contents thereby igniting an explosion that wreaked havoc in Ojuelegba, Surulere Local Government Area of the state.

This was revealed by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental relations, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo and his Information and Strategy counterpart, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, at a joint media briefing to address various issues concerning safety and protection of citizens during and after the Yuletide period.

Also in attendance at the briefing were the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who was represented by Chief Superintendent of Police, Waidi Ayilara and personnel of other concerned agencies.

The tanker, laden with 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, exploded after spilling its contents on the road at about 2 am last Saturday, razing over five cars and buildings built along the canal.

The revelation came even as Lagos State Government reassured residents of the readiness of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to ensure the Yuletide season is devoid of traffic gridlock and criminal activities across the metropolis.

The Commissioner decried the inherent dangers in dropping of cigarette stubs and the use of fireworks especially during the harmattan season which could lead to fire outbreaks.

“An example of this threat was the recent Ojuelegba tanker accident, where someone reportedly dropped the left-over of a cigarette into a canal where the spilled content spread to, igniting the fire. This was immediately combated by the state fire service and other responders.”Oladejo said.

He also noted that the state government would henceforth not hesitate to enforce the existing law banning public smoking.

“The anti-smoking law 2014, volume 47, carries a fine of N10, 000 to N15, 000 or a month to three months imprisonment as deemed by the court. While the owners/occupiers of the smoking areas shall be liable to a fine of N100, 000 or six months as deemed by the judge. Smoking in non-designated areas violates this law,” he reaffirmed.

Oladejo further noted that the state government has put adequate measures in place to ensure that residents go about their activities with much ease during the festive period.

“It is not enough to have safety regulations; they must be enforced and complied with to prevent avoidable loss of lives, properties and injuries. As a government which cares about the safety of lives and properties, nothing short of strict adherence to safety rules will be acceptable, relevant provisions of the law will be applied against erring individuals and orgnaisations,” he said.

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