Iwuagwu Calls for Fuel Tanker Safety Inspections After Edo Blast

Timothy Iwuagwu, the President of the Institution of Safety Professionals of Nigeria, has expressed serious concerns regarding fuel tanker safety in light of a recent explosion at a market in Edo, which resulted in several injuries and significant property damage, including two buses, an Audi saloon car, and a truck. Iwuagwu has called for mandatory inspection and certification of tanker trucks before they are cleared from ports, citing issues such as truck design, mechanical defects, and safety compliance.

He warned the public to stay away from fallen fuel tankers and avoid scooping spilled petroleum products due to the risk of fatal explosions. Iwuagwu emphasized that exposure to volatile organic materials is extremely dangerous and urged authorities to prevent access to accident scenes.

He attributed tanker accidents to poor safety compliance, faulty truck design, inadequate inspection, and poor road conditions. He stressed that safety issues must be addressed from the design and construction stages of vehicles.