The Minna Operations Office of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has launched a comprehensive awareness campaign in Kwara State to reduce tanker-related accidents and fire outbreaks.

Described by NEMA Director General Mrs Zubaida Umar as a proactive safety initiative rather than a routine exercise, the campaign Tanker Accident Prevention Campaign in Kwara aims to educate residents and stakeholders on the risks of tanker operations and emergency preparedness.

Speaking through Mr Hussaini Isah, Head of Operations for Niger and Kwara States, Mrs Umar stressed the urgency of the programme, stating: "This is about saving lives and preventing disasters before they occur. Tanker safety is a critical public concern that demands collective responsibility."

The event, held at the Oloru Tanker Park in Moro Local Government Area (LGA), featured interactive sessions on fire prevention, emergency response protocols, and compliance with safety regulations. NEMA officials demonstrated fire-fighting techniques and distributed safety manuals to tanker operators and community leaders.

The initiative responds to rising concerns over fuel tanker explosions and road accidents in the region, underscoring the agency's commitment to mitigating risks in high-risk industries.

Mrs Umar called for a cultural shift in safety practices, stating: "Let this gathering be the start of a new chapter, one where we move from reaction to prevention, from silence to advocacy, and from complacency to shared responsibility."

She also explained that the campaign is a platform for exchanging knowledge and best practices that can avert disasters, while also fostering collaboration among government agencies, emergency responders, and the general public.

The initiative also seeks to reduce the frequency and severity of tanker-related incidents through community engagement and shared safety advocacy.

In his remarks, Mr Moshood Mogaji, Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency, KWASEMA, reinforced the message of shared responsibility in disaster prevention.

Alhaji Suleiman Abdulaziz, Vice Chairman of Moro Local Government Area, commended NEMA for bringing the sensitization campaign to the community and increasing public awareness on the hazards associated with tanker mishaps.

The campaign featured practical sessions, including emergency response training conducted by the Nigerian Red Cross Society and fire safety drills led by the Kwara State Fire Service.

Educational materials, including flyers and stickers, were distributed in English, Yoruba, and Nupe to ensure wider understanding and reach.

Stakeholders in attendance included representatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, and traditional rulers from the host communities.