He made this call at the 3rd Faculty lecture of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso which he delivered on 11th June 2025.
Olaitan traced the history of Fire disasters to Jesse, Delta State in 1998 when over 1000 lives were lost as a result of pipeline accident. He recalled that since this accident, several lives have been lost from similar pipeline and tanker accidents as a direct result of the accidents or as a result of citizens scooping fuel from the site of the tanker accidents.
He suggested that the citizens need to be educated on the need to run from scenes of tanker or pipeline accidents.
He noted that about 3,445 people have lost their lives from tanker accidents from 2010 to 2017 in a total of 2,404 tanker accidents. He reported as one of the deadliest tanker accidents the one that occured at Majia, Jigawa state in 2024 killing 181 people.
He also noted that factors contributing to these deaths include scooping of fuel from fallen tankers, recklessness of tanker drivers causing accidents, deplorable roads, non adherent to road traffic safety practices, inadequate drivers' training and certification, non adherence to safe haulage practices and standards as well as ageing trucks and lack of fleet renewal programme.
Olaitan suggested that improved road safety practices, better driving training, investment in modern transportation infrastructure, better adherence to safety standards, use of modern trucks will lead to the reduction of deaths on our roads through tanker accidents.
He also suggested that government must invest in rail transportation to move petroleum products and educate the citizens.
Tanker accidents must be reported immediately and law enforcement cordon the site with a distance of at least 500metres. He advised that pipelines should be services and protected to prevent vandals from tampering with them.
He also spoke on domestic fire accidents which he said was mainly flame and from petroleum products like gasoline and Liquified Petroleum Gas. He advised safety at home with proper use of kerosine lanterns and stoves as well as the need to have fire extinguishers and use of smoke detectors. Piping of cooking gas from outside the kitchen rather than keeping cylindets in the kitchen was also suggested.
He concluded that the alternative energy sources like solar and rechargeable lamps rather than generators to prevent incessant fire incidents in the home should be a priority in every home.
Present at the Faculty lecture were the the vice chancellor, Prof. R.O. Ron Kalilu ably represented by the Deputy Vice chancellor Academics and Innovation, Professor Dauda Araromi, the registrar of the University, Dr. Mrs. Olanike Olayunka Balogun, the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof Wale Adeyemi, the Dean of the Faculty of Clinical Science who was the host of the lecture, Prof. (Mrs) Adenike IyanuOluwa Olugbenga-Bello.
Also present were seior professors of the university, Consultants and members of staff of Uniosun Teaching Hospital Osogbo as well as many members of the public.
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