By Nkechi Eze
In line with living up to its mandate of responding to emergency accidents and disasters across the country, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Northwest Zonal Office at approximately 11:46 AM, received a report of a tanker accident involving a fully loaded Petrol Motor Spirit (PMS) tanker at Romi New Extension, near Command Junction, Kaduna State. The accident resulted in a significant fuel spill, posing an immediate risk to lives and property.
Upon receiving the report, the NEMA Northwest Zonal Office swiftly activated the Emergency Response Team and coordinated with relevant stakeholders to mitigate the potential hazards. The incident was first reported by a member of the Kaduna State Disaster Management Platform (DMP), prompting a rapid mobilization of emergency responders.
A multi-agency response team was deployed to manage the situation effectively:
Crowd and traffic control were expertly handled by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kaduna State Traffic and Environmental Law Enforcement Agency (KASTLEA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Joint Task Force (JTF), ensuring order and preventing secondary incidents.
Fire suppression and cooling operations were conducted by the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) firefighters and NEMA Fire Truck to prevent any ignition during the delicate fuel transfer process.
Medical and humanitarian support was provided by the Nigerian Red Cross Society and the National Blood Transfusion Service, ensuring readiness for any potential casualties.
Media partners and National Orientation Agency (NOA) played a crucial role in providing timely and accurate information to the public, enhancing situational awareness.
By 4:57 PM, emergency responders successfully transferred the PMS to another tanker without any reported casualties. The operation was a testament to effective coordination, teamwork, timely information dissemination, and continuous safety awareness efforts regarding tanker accidents.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) commends all stakeholders for their professionalism, dedication, and swift response, which contributed to the successful management of the incident. This outcome reinforces the importance of inter-agency collaboration and proactive emergency preparedness in ensuring public safety.
