Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has expressed sympathy to the victims of Saturday morning accident at Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area involving a tanker laden with petrol, in which six people were feared dead.

Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi who visited the scene of the accident accompanied by his wife, Dame Judith Amaechi, Deputy Governor Engr. Tele Ikuru and Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, expressed shock and sadness at the loss of lives.

“It is so disastrous. I hear an entire family is gone, husband, wife and their children. Now look at the level of damage…”, Governor Amaechi lamented.

The Rivers State Chief Executive who was close to tears as he inspected the scene of the accident, pledged his administration’s readiness to provide necessary assistance to the families of those affected by the fire.

He also expressed his government’s determination to reduce drivers’ recklessness on the roads.

Governor Amaechi further said, “We must reduce the level of irresponsibility of some road users. I have just directed the Commissioner for Special Duties to identify the families and let us see how much we can assist them.”

He also promised to reconstruct the road around the Igwuruta roundabout, which is a federal road to ensure free flow of traffic and avert similar tragic accidents in future.

According to reports, the petrol tanker was carrying over 33,000 litres of fuel when it fell over and burst into flames killing a total of seven persons, including a pregnant woman, her husband and three children, while about 15 houses were razed.

Eye-witnesses said the death toll might be higher as scores of people sustained first degree burns and were rushed to hospitals.

According to the sources, the accident which occurred at 4.30am on the fateful day when most residents were still sleeping roasted the victims who died on the spot while sleeping.

The driver of the tanker who however was said to have survived, reportedly suffered serious burns and escaped when he saw the damage from the incident.

An eye-witness who gave his name simply as Chijioke said there was timely intervention by people around who helped to reduce the damage caused by the fire, adding that people mobilized with buckets of water and detergent to quell the fire, which was later brought under control.

A female resident who did not disclose her name expressed disappointment at the failure of the fire service at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, close to the scene to help as they complained of not having enough capacity to respond immediately to the situation.

She said it took two fire fighting vehicles more than  two hours to come from the state government fire service, which provoked those around. Four vehicles packed around the area were said to be among items lost to the accident.

Rivers State Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Emeka Worgu who sped to the place on getting the sad news, described the incident as very painful.

He said he was unhappy with the attack on the fire fighters that tried to rescue the situation.

While the chairman of Ikwerre Local Government, Hon Welendu Amadi lamented the said development, he noted that the government would assist the victims and their families.

Some resident who spoke to The Tide called for the expansion of the round about to avert further occurrences.

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers state Police Command, Mr Ben Ugwuegbulam who confirmed the incident to newsmen said details were expected from the Divisional Police Officers in charge of the area.

Shedie Okpara