On Thursday, residents in the Surulere area of Lagos and its environs scooped kerosene from a tanker laden with 33,000 litres of the product, which fell at the Costain Roundabout on Lagos Mainland, resulting in a heavy traffic.



Eyewitnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria that the accident, which occurred at about 2.30 p.m. was caused by a break failure.



They said the driver, who was speeding, lost control while negotiating the roundabout.

Hundreds of people, including school children and artisans, swooped on the tanker to scoop kerosene.



However, another eyewitness, Mrs. Taira Aikigbe, told PUNCH METRO that the incident occurred when the tanker, which was on a high speed, lost control and skidded off the road. It later fell on its side by the roadside, giving a deafening sound.



She noted that the driver and two passengers, who were in the vehicle, sustained minor injuries and came out of the tanker unaided. No life was lost in the incident.



The residents, traders and passersby, who also witnessed the accident, ran for their lives thinking that the tanker was transporting petrol, which might explode in flames. But they returned when they realised it was kerosene.



NAN reports that the large presence of people struggling to scoop kerosene blocked the road, causing the traffic to snarl up to Eko Bridge, Carter Bridge, Funsho Williams Avenue and Moshood Abiola Road.



A man, who was seen filling some jerrycans and buckets with his children, said. “This must be a gift from God at this time when kerosene is scarce and costly.”



A woman also beckoned on other residents to come out and fill their containers.










 
 
 
 
 

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Posted: at 1-07-2011 12:56 PM (12 years ago) | Gistmaniac

Poverty has turned Nigerians to scavengers, people now feed on a fellow misfortune.......... i hope and pray that d tanker was insured. Thank God no life was lost.

Posted: at 7-07-2011 05:30 PM (12 years ago) | Upcoming

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