The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Onitsha has confirmed the evacuation of a leaking tanker conveying cooking gas on the Onitsha- Awka, and Awka- Onitsha- Express Way.
The Public Relations Officer of the FRSC, Onitsha, Mrs. Margaret Onabe, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.
”The articulated tanker had a gas leakage. Because of this, there was gridlock in the Onitsha- Awka, and Awka- Onitsha environs.
”With the removal, smooth vehicular movement is gradually reducing and normal traffic flow is expected in due time,” she said.
NAN reports that there was pandemonium on Tuesday on the Onitsha-Awka Road by the New Tarzan area, Nkpor, Anambra as a tanker conveying cooking gas spilled its contents on the road.
The development, which was said to have started at about 10 a.m. caused a serious gridlock on the ever-busy road as the area was cordoned off and vehicles were prevented from moving closer to avoid a fire outbreak.
NAN reports that vehicles going in and out of Onitsha that were caught up around the area stood on standstill for several hours while men of the fire service were on standby to forestall any fire incident.
Commuters and passengers going in and out of Onitsha alighted from vehicles and started trekking away from the scene of the incident.
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The development caused serious chaotic traffic situations as motorists were advised to use alternative routes, even as the routes became almost impassable.
NAN reports that The Anambra State Sector Commander, FRSC, Adeoye Irelewuyi, while confirming the incident in a statement, said, “motorists are advised to use alternative routes from Awka, enter the road at Nkwelle Junction to burst out at 33 to GRA or Nkpor to burst out at Boromeo roundabout and to Onitsha.”
The men of the FRSC personnel from the RS5.3 Nteje Unit Command, who was at the scene completely blocked both lanes to avoid a sudden fire outbreak.
“The incident happened at a location called Sister, which is between the Building Materials and Tarzan Junction where our traffic control personnel are controlling traffic and also observing the situation.
“The driver of the tanker was carrying cooking gas which started leaking and decided to park the truck at that location.
“Meanwhile, the gas vapor is still leaking as of this time, but the fire service personnel are also on the ground neutralizing the area.
“Vehicles other than tankers and trailers diverted from toll gate drove against traffic to the Building Material Junction towards Ogbunike to Old Road,” the FRSC officials said.
