Dismissing claims that the recent tragedy on the Eleme section of the East-West Road in Rivers State was a result of ongoing road rehabilitation, Minister of Works, David Umahi, spoke to reporters during a visit to the site of the tanker fire on Wednesday.
Umahi emphasized the need for the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to set up checkpoints to monitor drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol, following the incident that claimed five lives and destroyed 120 vehicles.
Following a briefing by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Umahi extended his condolences to the affected families and the people of Rivers State, labeling the incident as tragic and avoidable.
Umahi denounced attempts to link the rehabilitation of the road to the unfortunate event, emphasizing President Bola Tinubu’s initiative in approving the upgrade of the road.
Reporting on his swift response to the incident, Umahi highlighted the unique and extensive nature of the ongoing construction on the road, which was initiated by President Tinubu to address its deplorable condition.