Abuja Conoil fire: Minister orders partial closure of Herbert Macaulay Way
The closure will only affect the area of the fire.
The FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, on Thursday ordered a partial closure of Herbert Macaulay Expressway in Abuja City Centre following powerful multiple petroleum tanker explosions that rocked the Conoil mega service station opposite the Nigeria National Petroleum Headquarters in the Central Business District of Abuja.
The closure is, however, restricted to the portion of the expressway where the fire incidenttook place.
He clarified that the incident was not a bomb explosion but petrol tankers explosion. He, therefore, cautioned fuel dealers to desist from off-loading their highly combustible under hot weather in the afternoon while ordering a total seal off of the ever busy service station.
He said the cordoning off of the 33,000 litres capacity service station became necessary because of its extensive underground storage facilities where the fire had spread to before it was put under control. He added that the measure was aimed at safeguarding lives and property of residents.
He stated: “This is an ugly incident that could have been avoided with some caution. This incident is an eye-opener that must be avoided in future”.
The Minister directed the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s Director of Engineering Services, Alfa Abu, to provide a surface and underground infrastructure facilities brief of the affected area and maintain a close watch over it.
Mr. Mohammed further directed that the entire area be dioxinated as a way of avoiding further damage from the underground facilities.
He commended the FCT and the NNPC fire fighting squads for responding promptly to the distress call by putting the fire under control thereby preventing it from spreading to neighbouring buildings.
The FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, on Thursday ordered a partial closure of Herbert Macaulay Expressway in Abuja City Centre following powerful multiple petroleum tanker explosions that rocked the Conoil mega service station opposite the Nigeria National Petroleum Headquarters in the Central Business District of Abuja.
The closure is, however, restricted to the portion of the expressway where the fire incidenttook place.
He clarified that the incident was not a bomb explosion but petrol tankers explosion. He, therefore, cautioned fuel dealers to desist from off-loading their highly combustible under hot weather in the afternoon while ordering a total seal off of the ever busy service station.
He said the cordoning off of the 33,000 litres capacity service station became necessary because of its extensive underground storage facilities where the fire had spread to before it was put under control. He added that the measure was aimed at safeguarding lives and property of residents.
He stated: “This is an ugly incident that could have been avoided with some caution. This incident is an eye-opener that must be avoided in future”.
The Minister directed the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s Director of Engineering Services, Alfa Abu, to provide a surface and underground infrastructure facilities brief of the affected area and maintain a close watch over it.
Mr. Mohammed further directed that the entire area be dioxinated as a way of avoiding further damage from the underground facilities.
He commended the FCT and the NNPC fire fighting squads for responding promptly to the distress call by putting the fire under control thereby preventing it from spreading to neighbouring buildings.
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