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PH Residents Agonise …As Tanker Fire Razes Church, Hotel, Shops
Fire has destroyed property worth billions of naira in Rivers State after a tanker loaded with Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) rammed off the G.U. Ake dual carriage way in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state and ditched into a flower garden.
The fire destroyed a church, Christ Living Miracle Church, a hotel, four shops, an event centre and a flower garden near Eliozu flyover on the G.U. Ake Road.
It was learnt that the tanker, which was trying to manoeuvre a bend on the road, had fallen into a flower garden along the road and exploded in flames.
The General Overseer of the affected church, Bumi Grace noted that the incident happened around 5a.m., yesterday, adding that none of the victims was able to save any of their belonging.
Grace said: “When the tanker fell and fire started, the electricity transformer close caught fire, exploded and the fire spread the more. Before fire fighters came, the fire had gone far.
“The incident will affect our service, but we must gather to worship God. What was destroyed here is over N300 million because we did not remove anything here.
“I was in the house when I received a call that my church is on fire. I got a vision of fire incident, and we organised a prayer and fasting. We finished prayers yesterday and this morning this thing happened.”
Also, one of the shop owners, Amaka Ugu disclosed that this is the third time tanker has fallen on that spot and called on the government for prompt attention.
“What I have lost is over a million naira, but my neighbour lost over N12 million because he just came back from market. He sells rugs.
“When I woke up somebody called me that another tanker had fallen. This is the third time tanker is falling here this year. The government has to do something about this.”
An event and catering centre worth over N500million was burnt by the fire.
According to an eyewitness, Master Jacob Nkem, the driver lost control and the tanker burst into flames.
However, it took the efforts of personnel of the Rivers State Fire Service and those of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) to bring the situation under control.
“This is not the first time a tanker carrying diesel has fallen in this area”, a taxi driver, Master Job, who plies the Air Force, Rumuokoro route stated.
“Three months ago, a tanker loaded with petroleum products lost control, somersaulted and burst into flames as buildings, cars and property were destroyed alongside the tanker.”
The taxi driver wondered why the drivers and conductors were not hurt in these two separate incidents.
He went further to state that the accident happened at the same hour and almost at the same place.
A middle-aged woman, who chose to remain anonymous, narrated how at about 5.00am, yesterday, a tanker rammed into her shop, and fire consumed all her property, including her academic certificates.
Reacting to the incident, the state Commissioner for Special Duties, Emeka Onowu regretted that the tanker accident was the third of such unfortunate incident at that same spot in three months, and promised to liaise with his counterpart in the Ministry of Works to construct speed breakers around the area to check over-speeding by motorists.
In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Works, Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, described the incident as sad and pathetic, adding that the accident was as a result of human error.
He said: “The incident would have been avoided. The damage is enormous. It would have been averted because I believe it occurred as a result of some human error.
“I have not ascertained the product, but from what we can see, it is a petroleum product because that is what can cause this level of damage.
“The incident has also damaged this road. We have lost over 200 metres of this road. The impact is so heavy. The only thing we need to do is that we will ensure that at this bend, we will ensure devices are built to make drivers reduce their speed on this roads.
“We will take certain steps to put this to a stop. We are encouraging every user of our road to apply caution. We appeal to those who have lost anything here to remain calm while everything will be addressed.”
The Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Prince Solomon Abel Eke has described as most unfortunate the tanker explosion along Air Force/Eliozu Road which destroyed residential buildings and business concerns.
Eke, who stated this after visiting the scene of the incident, yesterday, appealed to drivers plying the route to be conscious when approaching the bend before the Eliozu over-head bridge.
The Obio/Akpor chairman, therefore, empathised with those affected by the tanker explosion, and prayed God to strengthen them.
Emeka Sabastine Igbe
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, yesterday extended interim relief measures to the people of Bille Kingdom as the government intensifies efforts to address the ongoing environmental degradation affecting the area.
This was contained in a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi, yesterday.
The governor, during a working visit to Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area, reassured residents of his deep concern for their health and well-being.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to finding a lasting solution to the persistent gas emissions observed in the community’s land and water sources since November 2025.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dagogo Wokoma, the governor announced immediate interventions to address urgent needs.
Some of the relief measures include the provision of potable water and essential medical services through the release of ?100 million as palliative support for the affected community.
According to the SSG, “Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the welfare of the people of Bille Kingdom. Although unable to attend in person due to pressing state engagements, he is fully aware of the situation and determined to tackle the root cause of the environmental challenge”.
The governor assured residents that the state government would not relent in its efforts to provide a permanent solution to the gas emissions, emphasizing that the current intervention is only a temporary measure to ease the suffering of the people.
He further urged members of the community to remain law-abiding and continue supporting his administration, noting that he has consistently demonstrated a track record of fulfilling his promises.
Earlier, the Chairman, Council of Chief for Bille Kingdom, Chief Bennet Dokubo, expressed joy over the State visit, describing Fubara as a leader who listens to the plight of the people.
He urged the governor to critically look into the gas emission which he described as dangerous to human health.
“If we take you into the river, we notice that the entire environment is bubbling and smelling.
“We most humbly urge you to critically look into this situation. This is something strange we have never experienced before. It is not good for human health,” the monarch stressed.
The Federal Government has declared tomorrow (Friday) and Monday, April 6, 2026, as public holidays to mark this year’s Easter celebration.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government through a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Magdalene Ajani.
The ministe congratulated all Christians in Nigeria and in the diaspora on the joyous occasion of Easter, and urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of selflessness, forgiveness, forbearance and love as exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
He reiterated that the goal of the government remains to make decisions that would bring about national rebirth, economic growth, and shared prosperity.
The Tide reports that good Friday will be marked tomorrow, while the Easter Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday across the world.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff (CoS) to carry out their duties with discipline, loyalty and a firm commitment to the success of the administration and the wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.
The governor warned that any involvement in unauthorised nocturnal meetings or any conduct capable of embarrassing the government will attract immediate dismissal.
Fubara gave the warning yesterday shortly after the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dagogo S.A. Wokoma and the new Chief of Staff (CoS), Barrister Sunny Ewule, were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
As part of the ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the duo before the governor gave his charge.
Addressing the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their elevation to the new positions was a call to service and not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition.
He stressed that their foremost responsibility should be to themselves and to the people of Rivers State, stressing that their conduct must always reflect integrity, restraint and dedication to public good.
Speaking directly to Dr. Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, the governor expressed confidence in his intellectual depth and capacity to deliver on the new assignment.
The office of the Secretary to the State Government, Fubara stressed, demands thoroughness, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility. He charged the SSG to represent the State with honour at all times.
“Your duty includes representing the state government. You need to represent us in a way and manner that will bring honour to us.
“What is important to this administration is to see that the good works that we started and the ones that we met, are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our dear state,” he stated.
Turning to the new Chief of Staff, the governor explained that he is expected to ensure smooth administrative coordination, managing official engagements effectively and safeguarding the image of the Government House.
He underscored the sensitive and personal nature of the role and emphasised that the position operates strictly under the authority of the governor.
Fubara stressed that the role does not permit independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without his knowledge and consent.
“Let me sound it here very clearly. Your duty is to make sure that you handle the administrative duties and image making roles perfectly well, liaising with whoever is coming for any official assignment here.
“If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings and all those things, I will sack you. I’m very serious. What is important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of this state. I’m not going to compromise anything for it,” he said.
The governor cautioned that involvement of the new appointees in any action capable of bringing the government or his office to disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions.
While congratulating the new appointees, Fubara expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.
He called on all public officials to work together in unity, observing that collective success is stronger and more enduring than individual achievement.
The governor who also addressed the Permanent Secretaries present at the ceremony, directed those of them who have reached retirement age to start preparing their handover notes without delay.
The notice, he said, was not intended to scare anybody but to prepare their minds towards the inevitability of exiting the service one day and to pave way for an orderly transition.
He warned against any attempt to engage in financial misconduct or last-minute irregularities, stressing that he was closely monitoring the system to ensure strict enforcement of accountability rules.