Corps Marshal, Federal
Road Safety Commission(FRSC),  Mr Boboye Oyeyemi,has called on tanker operators in the country to comply with road safety standardisation scheme to avert accidents and related consequences.
Oyeyemi made the call recently, in Abuja,  during a courtesy visit to him by  Director-General, Standard Organisation of Nigeria(SON), Dr Joseph Odumodu, in his office.
“A meeting has been scheduled with PTD/NUPENG and NARTO on the need for adequate inspection of vehicles and ensure road worthiness of their vehicles before putting them on the road.
“The recent tanker explosion in Onitsha on Sunday afternoon was as a result of brake failure at a critical location where many people and vehicles were affected.
“ A tanker ladened with 33,000 litres of petrol had brake failure and ran into a motor park and exploded; 46 lives were lost while five people were injured and 20 vehicles were damaged in the unfortunate incident.
“We commiserate with the families of the bereaved and wish the injured, speedy recovery, “ Oyeyemi said.
The FRSC chief said a similar incident happened around Iyana Ipaja in Lagos where another tanker had brake failure and later fell without exploding, but that its fuel content spilled onto where bean cake was being fried.
Oyeyemi said no life was lost but that four shops and six houses were burnt down as a result of the accident.
He urged Vehicle Inspection Officers in different states to ensure full compliance with road safety standardisation scheme before issuing roadworthiness certificate to vehicles, especially, heavy trucks.
Oyeyemi said this would go a long way in stemming truck-related crashes and attendant loss of lives and property.
In his remarks, Odumodu urged the commission to ensure that vehicle owners did not use expired tyres because it was becoming one of the major causes of accidents in the country.