Calabar residents scamper for petrol from crashed tanker – Converseer

CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – Residents of Calabar, Cross River State on Saturday afternoon colonised a crashed tanker loaded with petrol without fear of explosion.

The incident, Converseer learnt happened around Parliamentary Extension by Northwest Filling Station at about 2 PM.

The rainy afternoon became a fortune for the poor residents who fought to scoop the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the fallen tanker.

Eyewitnesses say the petrol tanker was coming from the Murtala Mohammed Highway through Lemna Road to the Tanker Park beside Northwest to spend a night before leaving for dispatch.

“The truck driver who navigated Murtala Mohammed Highway by Lemna Junction heading to Tankers Park along Parliamentary Extension lost control of the truck while descending a hill immediately after the Canaan City FM entrance crashed and spilt the content,” an eyewitness told CrossRiverWatch.

Adding, “The truck was loaded from Calabar Depot and was to pass a night at the Tankers Park and embark on a journey tomorrow morning with the product.”

It took the effort of the Police and Civil Defence (NSCDC) to bring the situation under control as the scoopers were using buckets and all kinds of containers to derive fortune from someone’s unfortunate business.

Converseer reports that the state had recorded tragic incidents of fuel tanker explosions at Odukpani where scores were burnt to death while trying to scoop the highly inflammable liquid.