The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Akwa Ibom State has raised concerns over the growing risk of fuel tanker accidents and cholera outbreaks, urging residents to adopt preventive measures to safeguard their lives. Speaking at the Correspondents’ Arena of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Akwa Ibom State, NOA Director Mr. Mkpoutom Mkpoutom cautioned residents against scooping fuel from fallen tankers. He noted that, while the state has not recorded such incidents, recent explosions in other states have resulted in tragic loss of lives.
Mkpoutom blamed some fuel tanker accidents on drunk driving and called on road safety officials to intensify enforcement of road safety regulations. He also criticized residents’ “criminal obsession” with scooping fuel from fallen tankers, emphasizing the high risk of being burnt by the highly flammable Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
In addition, the agency has launched a statewide sensitization campaign to combat cholera following a recent outbreak in Emeroke, a coastal community in Eastern Obolo local government area, which claimed the lives of about a dozen people, including children and elderly individuals. The NOA urged residents to prioritize hygiene and safety measures to prevent further cholera cases, while calling for collective efforts to mitigate health and safety risks in the state.
