Governor Siminalayi Fubara accompanied by Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu and Director of State Security Service on Saturday 27h April,2024 visited the scene of the fire incident along Eleme East -West road close to Indorama company .
Already, the State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, with men from the Eleme Police Division and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps had been on the ground since Friday night.
It was gathered that a team of firemen from the Indorama Petrochemical Company assisted by firemen from other private firms battled for about two hours before the fire was put out.
Addressing Journalists at the scene of the fire incident, Governor Fubara said
“We are here to see for ourselves to get a first hand report of the fire incident that happened yesterday about 7:30pm that was caused by a tanker conveying PMS.
“I got the information through the MD of Indorama and I immediately alerted the security agencies to make sure they step in. From what we are seeing this morning it is not a pleasant situation.
“From what I am seeing a huge number of vehicles was destroyed, Souls lost .I have 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 who are bereaved and how we can cushion the loss which is no fault of theirs.
“We all know the situation of this road. Is really really unfortunate .Most of our people when plying this road should ply with caution .I believe strongly that this situation would have been avoided if the motorists have behaved properly.
“It is late. This is situation we find ourselves. We will see how much we can control it”.
Earlier in a statement released by the Public Relations Officer of Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe Koko said seventy cars were burnt while four persons including a pregnant woman are confirmed death. on Saturday, said, “For now about five persons are dead.
Our correspondent also reports that the Police has been on ground to maintain law and order.
A motorist driving on the road at the time identified as Precious said, “I was approaching Akpajo bridge when I saw a thick hold-up. While I and other drivers tried to move further we saw people running and shouting fire, fire.
“So it was difficult for me even to reverse my vehicle. We meandered and packed somewhere. Only for us to come back and see that more than 100 vehicles were burnt. There are people burnt in their vehicles and some people running were also caught in the inferno.”
He blamed the tragedy on the reconstruction of the road which, according to him, had worsened the gridlock.
“Yes they are working on the road which is good but they should also create access. Not the way they are doing it. First, they should be fast about it and secondly, the contractor should know that vehicles are using the road. Otherwise, this would not have happened,” he added.