UYO – The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), through its Uyo Operations Office, has stepped up efforts to curb the rising cases of tanker-related accidents and fire outbreaks in Akwa Ibom State by launching a robust public awareness and sensitisation campaign.
The exercise, which kicked off with a road walk on Thursday in the state capital, drew participation from multiple stakeholders, including key government agencies, transport unions, and civil society groups. The campaign began around 9:00 a.m. at the PTD-NUPENG office, with participants marching through major streets in Uyo while engaging members of the public using banners and a public address system. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) provided support with traffic coordination during the walk.
The sensitisation walk ended at Itam Park, a strategic transport hub in Uyo that accommodates dozens of commercial vehicles, tankers, and articulated trucks daily. The choice of venue was deliberate, according to organisers, as the area is known for its dense traffic of heavy-duty vehicles and surrounding businesses that face higher risks of fire-related emergencies.
Speaking during the formal session of the event, Head of NEMA’s Uyo Operations Office, Mrs. Mmandu Aisueni, who represented the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, welcomed participants and highlighted the urgent need to raise public consciousness around the dangers associated with tanker mishaps and preventable fire outbreaks. She referenced recent national data showing a disturbing rise in incidents involving fuel-laden tankers, prompting the agency’s decision to carry out a nationwide awareness initiative.
In his keynote speech, Comrade Joseph Otu of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch of NUPENG (PTD-NUPENG) praised NEMA for leading the campaign, assuring that the union remained committed to partnering with relevant agencies in promoting safety and professionalism among its members.
Presentations at the event were both informative and practical. The FRSC led the first session, facilitated by S.R.C James Paul, focusing on safe driving habits, ethical conduct, and road use behaviour among commercial vehicle operators. This was followed by a session from the Nigerian Red Cross Society, presented by Ms. Edith Joseph, who provided insights into first aid response, including demonstrations on managing burns and severe bleeding—common outcomes in tanker fire incidents.
The final presentation came from the Akwa Ibom State Fire Service, with S.P.O Aniekeme G. Eton taking the audience through strategies for preventing fires in fuel tankers and articulated vehicles. The session included hands-on demonstrations to deepen understanding among participants.
In attendance were notable figures such as the State Controller of the Federal Fire Service in Akwa Ibom, CSF Nkanang Mayen Charles, along with representatives from the Akwa Ibom State Emergency Management Agency (AKSEMA) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), all of whom gave goodwill remarks reaffirming their commitment to collaborative emergency response.
The event ended with a collective resolve by stakeholders to sustain inter-agency collaboration and public sensitisation as critical tools in reducing the frequency and impact of fire disasters and tanker-related emergencies in Akwa Ibom and beyond.
