In a remarkable display of swift response, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) intervened on Tuesday to avert a potential disaster after a petrol-laden tanker overturned, spilling its contents onto the Oshodi-Gbagada highway.
The fully loaded tanker, carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, overturned directly opposite the TREM Church, causing a hazardous fuel spill across the busy highway. This incident raised immediate concerns about the potential for ignition, as well as the risk of fuel scooping by unauthorized individuals.
According to LASTMA, the agency quickly swung into action by securing the accident site to prevent the dangerous practice of fuel scooping, a common but highly risky behavior in such situations. LASTMA operatives set up barricades around the accident scene, ensuring that only emergency response teams were allowed access.
“The first priority was to prevent the public from accessing the accident site, especially to stop any unauthorized attempts at scooping fuel. Given the volatile nature of petrol, the potential for disaster was high,” explained LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, LASTMA promptly escalated the matter to the Lagos State Fire Service, who dispatched emergency teams equipped to handle fuel spills and manage the risks associated with hazardous materials. The Fire Service’s quick response played a critical role in preventing a potential inferno that could have had disastrous consequences for both residents and motorists.
In the meantime, LASTMA personnel took proactive measures to manage traffic flow. The agency redirected vehicles to the service lane from Oshodi-Oke, heading toward Gbagada, which helped prevent significant traffic build-up and ensured that the road remained clear of congestion, despite the spill.
Mr. Bakare-Oki commended the effectiveness of his team’s actions: “The proactive intervention of our personnel ensured a comprehensive lockdown of the accident site, rendering fuel scooping impossible and averting what could have been a catastrophic incident. The careful management of traffic and cooperation with the Fire Service made all the difference in containing the situation.”
The General Manager also called on the public to remain vigilant in such situations. “We urge all motorists and members of the public to report road-related emergencies to LASTMA’s toll-free hotline at 080000527862. Timely reports are vital in preventing further incidents and ensuring immediate intervention,” he said.
LASTMA also strongly advised motorists to adhere strictly to the instructions of traffic management and emergency response personnel, emphasizing the need for increased vigilance to prevent tragedies, particularly in situations involving hazardous materials on the road. With the quick thinking and efficient action of LASTMA and emergency responders, the potential for a catastrophic accident was successfully averted.
