Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has attributed a petrol tanker explosion in the Oluku area of Benin City to the owner’s failure to follow safety protocols while transferring fuel between vehicles.
Daily Trust had reported how many were feared dead after the fuel tanker exploded on Benin-Lagos Road in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state, on Thursday.
Speaking while inspecting the damage caused by the explosion, Okpebholo said the owner of the affected tanker brought another tanker to transfer the fuel without observing the necessary safety measures.
Condemning the action, the governor said the incident could have been avoided.
“If this had not happened, there would not have been any fire incident,” he said.
The governor, who expressed sadness over the incident, said, “This is the result of it. We are sorry; it is not our making. We pray God keeps us alive.”
He promised to rebuild Oluku Market, which was destroyed by the fire, and support traders who lost their shops and goods in the incident.
“We are sorry. We, as human beings, should also take precautions whenever something like this happens. Before the explosion, people were scooping fuel,” he said.
Okpebholo advised residents to desist from scooping fuel from fallen tankers, noting that the state and federal governments had spent considerable resources on public awareness campaigns to educate people about dangers associated with the action.
He lamented that despite repeated warnings, some residents continued to engage in the dangerous practice.
The governor also visited victims receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where he reiterated the need for residents to heed safety warnings and avoid scooping fuel from fallen tankers.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rebuilding the market and helping affected traders recover their livelihoods.
What You Should Know
Governor Okpebholo has identified negligence as the primary cause of the tragic tanker explosion on the Benin-Lagos Road. The disaster occurred when the tanker owner attempted to move fuel to another truck without necessary precautions. The Governor also emphasized that the situation was made worse by residents who ignored safety warnings to scoop fuel from the scene before the blast.
- Positive Impact: The Edo State Government has officially committed to rebuilding the Oluku Market and providing financial relief to traders whose shops and goods were destroyed in the fire.
- Potential Concerns: This incident highlights the ongoing danger of fuel scooping in Nigeria; despite public awareness campaigns, some residents still risk their lives for free petrol, leading to high casualty rates during such accidents.
