Vivo Energy trains Bodabodas,Police, Quality Marshals on fire prevention
Recently about 40 Ugandans lost their lives to a fire that resulted from an accident involving two fuel trucks in Namungoona, Kampala, Uganda. It was an unfortunate incident that also exposed not only the road safety challenges we still face as Ugandans but also a knowledge gap that could still claim the lives of many.
As part of their ongoing monthly trainings for Quality Marshalls at all Shell Petrol Stations, Vivo Energy, made a decision to step up these monthly trainings to include a group of Ugandans who are most at risk of loss of life over poor handling of fuel. Bodaboda (Motorcyclists) leaders from various areas of Kampala Central as well as Police who are part of the fire rescue teams were, together with the Shell Quality Marshals, trained in a half day training that took place at Shell sports club. The training focused on educating the participants on how to handle or respond to fuel spills, the dangers of fuel and fuel vapors, How the police and general public ought to respond, what response would be ideal if a spill occurred at a fuel station, and a stern warning to Bodabodas about the dangers of their current behavior towards fuel. The training included a practical session.
One of the leaders of the Bodaboda Association in Kibuye Mr. Moses Tumuhaise admitted that their lack of knowledge was indeed a cost to their lives. “This is the first time we have received such knowledge and we are truly grateful. We are committed to passing on this knowledge to our colleagues who are not exposed. We urge Vivo Energy to continue this training to include other Bodaboda cyclists countrywide in a more frequent manner to ensure our knowledge is constantly refreshed.”