I want new tanker and not national honour – Man who drove a tanker of fire and saved a Delta community from explosion says

Ejiro Otarigho, the driver who drove a burning fuel tanker away from a community in Delta state has disclosed that he needs a new vehicle. 

Speaking after the senate asked President Buhari to confer him with a “befitting national honour as he may deem fit for his extraordinary act of bravery, courage and skill that prevented the loss of human lives and property on a massive scale”, Ejiro said it’s not been easy since losing the tanker as it was the only way he fed. 

He also told Punch that the thought of hundreds of lives and property engulfing in flames as a result of the tanker fire, gave him the spunk to drive the truck to a location where there will be no disaster.

Ejiro said; 

“I have received calls from them (Delta state government) but I am not interested in any national honour of any sort right now.

“I know God has brought me to a good place where my story is now being told. All I want is a replacement for my burnt tanker so I can go back to my job.

“I have just been at home and truck driving was the only way I fed. It has not been easy for me since I lost my tanker.”

When asked if he would like to get a new job and abandon the dangerous business of tanker driving, he said;

“of course, I will. It is a risky job.

“Imagine if I had died that day, nothing would have been said of me. If the government has something better for me, I will do it without looking back. All I want is to be able to take care of myself and my family legitimately.”