Pipeline Vandals: LASEMA Averts Ipaja Oil Theft Fire

 
...Recovers Truck's Stuck, Tilted, Fallen Consignment

Following the Pipeline Vandalism on Monday, 11th November 2019 at Abesan Estate, Boys Town end of Ipaja, behind Honeyland School at about 8:18 a.m where fire broke out due to activities of oil pipeline vandals, and a truck at ijora bridge inward iganmu that constituted obstruction to free vehicular activities when more than half of its consignment got stuck beneath the bridge as a result of miscalculations by its driver, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency's Director General, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu explained that there was no loss of lives in the two incidences.

Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu further stated that a tanker with registration number AGL 591 XP laden with 36,000 litres of stolen Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, the second of such to exit the site of the vandalized pipeline at the back of Honeyland School, Abesan Estate, while trying to escape came in contact with an electric pole which resulted into a fire outbreak making the oil tanker burn midway through before it was curtailed.

Speaking further, the LASEMA Boss reiterated that no casualties or fatalities were recorded, nor were any injuries incurred as residents of the area rallied support for the combined response team of LASEMA and the Lagos State Fire Service but two cars belonging to yet - to - be identified residents, were razed, Toyota Camry with registration number EPE 79 DF and completely burnt a Volkswagen saloon car beyond recognition, while activities of the vandals left PMS spilled in the entire area which had been cordoned off on arrival of the LASEMA team for safety of residents and rescue teams in tandem with International best practices.

Meanwhile, after putting out the fire completely,  officials of Pipeline Maintenance/Security Committee from NNPC/PPMC whom the Agency's officials at the incident scene contacted, on arrival, trans-loaded the remaining PMS in the half burnt tanker of the vandals, with officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, on standby to take possession of the oil Tanker truck afterwards.

However, Having completed the task of safely Transloading the remaining PMS from the vandal's articulated vehicle, the affected back tyres of the tanker were refixed to enable its recovery to the Head  Office of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, at  Alausa with assistance of the Agency's Heavy-Duty Equipment.

The DG/CEO LASEMA, commended efforts of the Agency's Local Emergency Management Committee members, LEMC, concerned journalists, as well as residents of the area for their complete cooperation and for rallying round the dual response team of LASEMA and the LASG Fire Services on their arrival, especially for understanding when to give way for the professionals to perform their duties thus making the task of quick, effective and efficient recovery easier.

He thereafter advised residents of the area to be more vigilant, insisting that the area belongs to the residents whom he advised to be more alert in the future, saying that just as it occurred this time, if it were worse before recovery, it is the residents that will bear the brunt of the whole sad episode, he thus insisted that residents must as a matter of paramount importance implement simple safety measures to mitigate against fire incidents in the near or distant future by acquiring fire extinguishers, fire extinguishing balls and blankets as well as ensure that their simple fire fighting equipment are always active.

Aside LASEMA, LASG Fire Services, officials of Pipeline Maintenance/Security Committee from NNPC, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC,  Officials of the Nigerian Police Force from Ayobo and Abesan Police Stations, as well as representatives from the Ipaja Area Command were all on ground for the safe recovery.

In a related development, LASEMA recovered an accident truck at ijora bridge inward iganmu that constituted obstruction to free vehicular activities when more than half of its consignment got stuck beneath the bridge as a result of miscalculations by its driver.

The truck with registration number OKLAHOMA 517-2GJ conveying a loaded consignment got stuck under the bridge due to carelessness on the part of the driver which made it's cargo tilt off the truck on impact, effectively cutting off other road users by obstructing free vehicular activities.

However, no loss of lives were recorded, nor were any injuries sustained at the scene of the incident where the Agency's heavy-duty equipment compiling of the Crane, Lowbed and Super Metro were deployed for speedy recovery of the articulated vehicle off the bridge, to enable free vehicular activities for all other road users.

LASEMA, LASTMA, FRSC and Police were responders at the Ijora under bridge accident scene.

Barber who set self ablaze on Lagos road dies

...It's unfortunate We could not save his life - Emergency Officer

A barber has taken his own life after setting himself ablaze on a road leading to Omole Estate, near Akiode Bus Stop, Lagos.

He died while he was receiving treatment at a hospital.

The barber had reportedly emerged on the road around 4:30pm on Wednesday holding a five-litre jerrycan of petrol.

He subsequently poured the fuel on his body; struck a match and lit himself.

Our correspondent learnt that a passerby, who was standing a few metres away from the scene, rushed to put out the fire.

The young man, who was identified simply as Ahmed, was said to have died shortly after he was rescued from the scene around 5:00pm by officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Services.

Before the arrival of the emergency officials and policemen from the Ojodu Division, it was gathered that a mild drama played out.

“While a man used a piece of torn carton to fan the man, some passersby were busy taking his photograph,” an eyewitness, Dolapo Gabriel, told Saturday PUNCH,

Gabriel stated that Ahmed was running a barber’s shop until his life recently took a drastic turn.

“I saw him pouring the fuel on himself but I thought it was water. Within seconds, he brought out a pack of matches from his pocket and set himself ablaze. Fortunately, a food seller close to the gate had some water. A man quickly took the water to put out the fire. Some people and I joined him. It was strange to me,” he added.

A resident, who introduced himself simply as Tolu, explained that he saw Ahmed walking along the road on Monday and advised him on the need to turn a new leaf.

He said, “He was a barber and used to have a shop around Akiode. He closed the shop sometime ago and started roaming about the neighbourhood. He smoked a lot which I think affected his brain.

“Two days ago, I met him on the road and talked to him that he needed to change. I told him that I would take him to church next Sunday for special prayers. He asked me to buy roasted corn for him which I did after he assured me he would follow me to the church.”

Another eyewitness, Samuel, described Ahmed as a drug addict, saying that he had been mentally unstable for some time.

“Many people around here know him. He used to be a decent person before he suddenly changed as a result of drugs. He lived with his family within this community and they are aware of his plight,” she said.

A senior emergency official told our correspondent on Friday that Ahmed gave up the ghost while he was receiving treatment.

“It is unfortunate that we could not save the man’s life. He died while receiving treatment and his corpse had been handed over to his family,” the official disclosed.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, confirmed the incident, but said he had yet to be briefed on the man’s death.

He said, “The incident is true. The man attempted suicide by setting himself ablaze but he was rescued. We have yet to ascertain the reason why he took that deadly action.”

Copied Afeez Hanafi

Lagos Speaker Obasa, Ogundimu, Other Lawmakers Call On Gov. Ambode To Restrict Trailer's Movement

AgegePulse Magazine

Following the recent petrol tanker accident that claimed lives and property along Otedola Estate in Berger area on Thursday 28th June,  2018, the Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade called for a review of issues surrounding movement of trailers in the state.

The Motion was moved by 14 members of the House.

The House urged the Governor to direct the State Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Dipo Lawanson to ensure that long vehicles do not ply the roads in the state until 9pm.

"The House observed that the fire incident around Otedola Estate on Thursday  28, June led to avoidable deaths of several people and destroyed many properties.

"We noticed that the incident was caused by recklessness on the part of the driver, overspeeding, drinking of alcohol amongst others.  It is also observed that many of the drivers do not have drivers license  and many of the vehicles are not road worthy," he said.

While commending the Lagos State Government for the rapid response to the incident, the movers of the motion urged the state government to sanction any long vehicle owner that does not obtain necessary papers and ensure road worthiness of their vehicles.

Agunbiade stated that it was worrisome that long vehicles are parked on Ikorodu Road indiscriminately considering the consequences.

The House used the opportunity to call on the state's Governor to direct the Commissioner for Transportion to provide regulations for the types of vehicles that would ply Lagos roads based on their year of purchase.

Agunbiade added that the state government should direct all owners of long vehicles to go for insurance policies, provide places to park the vehicles and ensure that they follow the regulations of the state government.

"We also want to call on Governor Ambode to direct the Chief Justice of the state, Justice Olufunmilayo Oke to set up mobile courts to handle cases involving long vehicles.

"The House calls on the Minister of Power, Works and Housing to repair the roads in the state and provide weigh bridges for the vehicles," he said.

The Motion was, however, supported by Hon. Abiodun Tobun.

Contributing to the matter, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa suggested that the state Commissioner for Transport should meet with the insurance companies so that the policies would be done properly.

"The state government should have a discussion with the insurance companies  so that the policies would be original and not fake.

"Our traffic law should be reviewed to reduce loss of lives on our roads. If the Otedola Estate incident had happened at night, the casualty would have been minimal," he stated.

Also speaking on the matter,  Hon. Yinka Ogundimu said that the state government should call on the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Edgal Imohinmi to be up and doing to ensure that the vehicle owners obtain insurance policies.

He said that the policies should be regulated by the police so that the efforts of the government would not be wasted.

The motion was also supported by Hon. Bisi Yusuf, who said that a similar incident was averted in Alimosho Area on Wednesday, adding that the matter should be taken seriously.

The Speaker of the House subsequently directed the Clerk of the House, Mr. Azeez Sanni to write to the government on the matter.

Meanwhile, the House has set up a committee to review the mid-year expenditure of the Ministries, Parastatals and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.

The Committee is to be headed by Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu, while members include Hon. Abiodun Tobun, Hon. Yinka Ogundimu, Hon. Jude Idimogu, Hon. Bisi Yusuf, Hon. Moshood Oshun, Hon. Nurudeen Saka-Solaja and Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho.

The committee was directed to submit its report within two weeks and a half.