Residents Panic As Tanker Falls Under High-Tension

Residents of the Eight Mile axis of Calabar, the Cross River State capital, have expressed apprehension over possible explosion following the falling of a kerosene-laden tanker under high-tension cables in the area.

The fallen tanker attracted a large number of people, who were scooping the petroleum product – a move many thought was dangerous and could lead to an explosion.

The tanker, which fell late Saturday evening, caused traffic snarl around the Scanobo area of the Calabar-Odukpani federal highway.

Southern City News learnt that the kerosene-laden tanker fell after its driver tried to dodge a bad portion of the road.

A resident, Umana Davies, said, “Many people are scooping kerosene from the fallen tanker and we are at risk of explosion as I speak. This situation will be very disastrous if anything happens because the tanker fell under high-tension cables.”

Another eyewitness, Okon Bassey, who noted that the truck was loaded with over 33,000 litres of kerosene, also said it would be disastrous if a fire broke out.

“Residents and commuters of the city have complained bitterly about that dangerous spot, now known as the ‘point of death,’ he added.

Bassey, therefore, called on officials of the State Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Road Safety Corps to intervene.

“I also call on other relevant bodies to remove the tanker so as to avert a disaster.

“The portion of the road where the incident happened has failed and recently commuters have started complaining. Although the state government recently responded by carrying out palliative works on the portion, it is failing again,” he said.

Attempt to get the reaction of the Director General of SEMA, Mr. John Inaku, on the matter proved abortive as he neither picked his calls nor responded to the text messages sent to his line by our correspondent.