How To Stop Petrol Tanker Explosions In Western Nigeria

An open communication to all the governors in Western Nigeria.

Whichever way you look at it and irrespective of your perspective on my hypothesis, you must agree with me somehow that there is a need to put a stop to petrol tanker explosions in western Nigeria.

By Adeola Aderounmu

This is an open letter to all the governors of all the states in Western Nigeria. They really need to sit up and perform their duties, the ones they swore oath to.

I have followed almost all the incidents of explosions and fire outbreaks in western Nigeria for about 2 to 3 years now. My hypothesis is that the frequency and the regularity are so high that one could no longer term them accidents. A fire accident may occur once in a while but attacks on institutions and the economy of western Nigeria seems to be what is ongoing in the last 2 to 3 years, or more.

There is presently almost no state governor or their social media handlers in western Nigeria that is unaware of my hypothesis. My hypothesis: one that I do think I have a right to, is something I have not failed to bring to the attention of the Ooni of Ife and the vice president of Nigeria, Yemi Osinbajo.

Live up to the oath you swore. For once, come together and work together to keep us safe.

That is not too much to ask. Is it?

I do not agree that the fire outbreaks and explosions have anything to do with the harmattan season. The attacks are not seasonal. Harmattan is also not a sudden, unexpected weather condition. We have been living with weather variations all our lives. What is apparent is the rise of explosions, fire outbreaks and petrol tanker explosions in western Nigeria. These unfortunate incidents correlate perfectly with the rise and establishments of terrorism in northern Nigeria. It also correlates with general banditry, kidnapping and spread of vices across Nigeria generally.  I do not think the explosions and fire outbreaks in western Nigeria should be treated in isolation.

My suggestions for the state governors in western Nigeria are as follow:

-Take the entrance and exit of petrol tankers into western Nigeria more seriously. If you don’t have a pre-existing protocol for monitoring the movement of these tankers, then START NOW!

-Every petrol tanker that comes into western Nigeria must be known. Who is the driver? Which company or organisation do they work for? Where are the drivers living in western Nigeria? Where do they live in Northern Nigeria? Are they Nigerians? Who is their next of kin and so on and so forth?

-Take the plate number of every petrol tanker coming in and out of western Nigeria. Find out if they are real or fake plate numbers. Once discovered to be fake, take in the vehicle and prosecute the driver within 12 – 24 hours. Just do it!

-Do a survey of the routes of petrol tankers in western Nigeria. Mount specific plate number reading cameras at strategic locations along these routes. Even face recognition cameras for the drivers and occupants.

-Do all you can to carry out forensics on tankers that explode. Find the owners! Bring them to book and possibly prosecute them for terrorism! Stop their license, for life!

The governors of the states in western Nigeria must stop forming committees here and there. No need for committees! Get to work. Use people. Use the institutions that are existing to tackle security issues in western Nigeria. Start now!

My suggestions can be implemented. You just need to find a way to make them happen and even apply other measures that are not included here. There may be other ways too.

Why must you do these?

The people are losing their lives and their means of livelihood. Markets are burning. Roads are destroyed. Bridges may start to collapse. Environment is degraded. Even the health of the people will deteriorate with environmental pollution. I wish I could write more to expatiate but there are experts in western Nigeria who can tackle the economic implications more than me. There are experts who can tell you more about the damage to the environment and the direct and indirect impacts on lives and property.

Whichever way you look at it and irrespective on your perspective on my hypothesis, you must agree with me somehow that there is a need to put a stop to petrol tanker explosions in western Nigeria. Again, I do not believe it is just the weather or the bad roads. They have their roles but what we see in western Nigeria is beyond these 2 factors.

Take this as an open letter. Set to work. Protect Yorubaland. Protect western Nigeria. Protect the lives of the people, protect their means of livelihood. Protect life and property.

Live up to the oath you swore. For once, come together and work together to keep us safe.

That is not too much to ask. Is it?

Aderounmu Adeola writes from Stockholm, Sweden.

aderounmu@gmail.com