By Mumini AbdulKareem
No fewer than five persons reportedly lost their lives and property worth millions of naira destroyed in an accident involving a fuel tanker loaded with Premium Motor Sprit (PMS) and a trailer on the Jebba-Mokwa Highway, Tuesday in Jebba, Moro Local Government Area of Kwara State.
The accident, residents said, occurred as a result of brake failure of the tanker, which subsequently rammed into a trailer loaded with new motorcycles. The trailer was said to have consequently went up in flames.
Also, five vehicles, nine motorcycles, motor spare parts and phone accessories were also burnt as the spilled petrol from the tanker spread the fire to shops, residential buildings and a mosque near the road.
Deputy Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Matthew Okedare, who yesterday, addressed the victims shortly after conducting an on the spot assessment of the areas affected, expressed sympathy to the people.
Okedare, who represents Lanwa/Ejidongari Constituency, described the residents of Jebba as very enterprising and appealed to the government to assist them to get back to their various businesses and improve the community’s economy.
The lawmaker also praised the quick response of Jebba Paper Mills’ Fire Service Department which he said ensured the fire did not spread into other areas of the town.
One of the shop owners and a spare parts dealer, Paul Mbonu, said he lost goods worth millions of naira to the inferno.
Mbonu called for immediate assistance from government and spirited individuals to cushion the effect of the incident while also appreciating the Deputy Speaker for his quick response.
Representatives of Motorcycle riders and transport owners in the town also called for government’s urgent assistance, saying their members lost vehicles they acquired on loans from cooperative societies to the incident.
