Momodou Hydara, Managing Director of Jah Oil Companies, has provided details regarding the recent fire at the Gambia naval base in Banjul, which resulted in two deaths and left several others injured.
The fire originated from a fuel tanker hired by Jah Oil, which exploded during the fuel delivery process. Authorities, including the Gambia Armed Forces, have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the explosion.
Initially, reports suggested that the tanker belonged to Jah Oil. However, Hydara clarified that the vehicle was outsourced for the delivery, and both its original driver and owners had experience in the industry. Since the incident, the company has been in contact with the victims and military officials.
“We have already evacuated one of the victims to Senegal for treatment, and we are closely monitoring the condition of the others,” Hydara stated during a press conference.
Addressing speculation surrounding the explosion, he said, “We do not yet know the exact cause of the fire. We have a longstanding contract with the Gambia Navy, but at the time of this delivery, all our trucks were engaged, so we hired an external truck.”
The explosion occurred while the fuel was being discharged, though the precise trigger remains unknown.
“There are many theories, but we cannot confirm anything until the survivors recover and share their accounts,” Hydara explained.
He revealed that the tanker’s original driver had handed the vehicle to another individual who may not have had the required expertise to safely handle fuel transfers at the naval base.
“This is the first time Jah Oil has faced such a catastrophic incident involving fire,” he added.
Hydara also disclosed that the Chief of Defense Staff, Mamat Cham, has requested the company’s assistance in constructing a safer fuel storage facility for the Navy. Jah Oil has agreed to build an underground fuel storage tank at no cost to the military.
