President Muhammadu Buhari has also joined other Nigerians in expressing sadness over a tanker explosion that occurred in Onitsha, Anambra State.
KanyiDaily reported that a fuel tanker laden with substance premium motor spirit (pms) had fallen into a ditch and spilled its contents, resulting in an explosion at MCC bus stop near Toronto Hospital, Upper-Iweka, Onitsha.
An eye witness told NAN that no fewer than five persons including a mother and her child, have died so far in the incident as the fire razed structures, including shops on Upper Iweka road and at Ochanja market.
Reacting to the incident in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, on Wednesday, President Buhari sympathized with victims of the tanker explosion, and described the death of an innocent mother and her child as sad.
He also called for urgent action on the part of those concerned “to stem these frequent fatal disaster on public roads”. The statement reads:
“The fire incident in Onitsha yesterday is sad and regrettable. I am profoundly touched by the sight of the charred remains of an innocent mother and her child who are victims of this tragedy,” the president was quoted as saying in a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu.
“I also extend my sympathies to other victims of the explosion whose houses, shops and other property were destroyed in the mishap.”
The president explained that “while I express sadness over this tragedy, I must at the same time call for urgent action on the part of those concerned to stem these frequent fatal disasters on public roads.”
According to him, “safety precautions and routine maintenance are taken for granted by vehicle owners.”
Mr Buhari called “on the Ministry of Transport, the Federal Road Safety Commission and other stakeholders to urgently address the issue of safety standards in the country, with a view to stemming the embarrassing frequency of these tragedies.”
Meanwhile, the Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano has also sympathized with the victims, and directed all the property owners affected by the explosion, including shop owners, to report themselves.
According to him, the tanker explosion victims are to report themselves at the Conference Room of the Secretary to the State Government on Monday, October 21, 2019, to see how the Anambra State Government can assist them.
