Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara visited the location of the tanker explosion in Eleme Local Government Area, where an unspecified number of people were killed.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara was joined by the Commissioner for Police, Olatunji Disu, and the Commissioner for Energy, Maximus Nwafor, during his visit to the scene of the tanker explosion.
The fire consumed over 50 vehicles, and several bodies were discovered burnt beyond recognition inside cars, along the roadside, and in nearby drainage.
After surveying the extensive damage, Governor Fubara instructed security agencies to carry out a detailed assessment of the incident to aid in supporting the families of the victims.
He said, “Yesterday around 7-8pm, we go information about a very serious inferno that was caused by a tanker conveying PMS.
“I got the information through the MD of Indorama and immediately alerted the security agencies. From what we are seeing this morning, it was a very pleasant case.
“We recorded, from what I am seeing, a huge number of vehicles being destroyed and souls lost. I have already asked the security agencies to give us a full brief. So that we can come into the situation fully by seeing how much we can support the families of the bereaved and see how we can cushion the effect of the losses.”
He also lamented the deteriorating condition of the Eleme section of the East-West road.
“We all know the situation of this road; it is really really unfortunate. Most of our people when plying this road do so with caution,” he said.