The Edo State Government has reiterated its commitment to the safety and welfare of citizens following the recent petrol tanker fire incident in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, which left several persons injured but no death recorded.
A high-powered delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mallam Gani Audu, visited the scene of the incident and hospitals where victims are receiving treatment, on the directive of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The Chief of Staff said, the delegation was mandated by the Governor to immediately proceed to Auchi to sympathise with the community and carry out an on-the-spot assessment of the incident.
“We were given a clear mandate by the Governor when we heard of this incident on the 17th of December that we should come to Auchi immediately to show solidarity and sympathise with the Auchi community and the victims. We are here on the directive of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to assess exactly what happened,” he said.
He explained that although the Governor would have personally visited the area, he was unavoidably engaged in Abuja on state matters and therefore constituted a strong delegation to demonstrate the government’s responsiveness.
“When you have the Chief of Staff, the Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, the Chief Whip of the Edo State House of Assembly, the Director-General of EdoSEMA and officials of NEMA, you can see that this is a responsible and responsive government that cares about the people,” he added.
Gani Audu noted that the delegation had visited the scene of the inferno and hospitals where victims were admitted, stressing that a detailed report would be submitted to the Governor to guide long-term preventive actions.
“We thank God that no life was lost. We now have first-hand information and will report back to the Governor so that measures can be taken to prevent such occurrences in the future,” he said.
The Director-General of the Edo State Fire Service disclosed that Auchi currently has no functional fire station but assured residents that the situation would soon change.
“There is already an assurance from the Governor that by January next year, Auchi will have a fire station with fire trucks. This is a highly populated business area and it deserves a fire station,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Hon. Festus Ebea, commiserated with the victims and attributed the incident partly to the poor condition of the Auchi–Okene Express Road linking Jattu junction.
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“The undulating nature of this road is dangerous. We need urgent remedial work to avert future occurrences. From past records, several trailers have missed their way here,” he said.
He assured that the state government would take responsibility for victims still receiving treatment and warned residents against scooping fuel from fallen tankers.
“PMS is highly flammable. Anywhere you see fuel flowing, run away fast. Even a minor static force can ignite fire. This is strong advice to everyone,” he cautioned.
The Head of Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EdoSEMA), Jerry Idahosa, revealed that 25 persons were affected by the incident, with 16 still undergoing treatment at Auchi General Hospital and Amazing Grace Hospital.
“Some shops were destroyed, four trucks were affected, and a few motorbikes were also burnt,” he said.
The Chief Whip, Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Hussein Mustafa Lecky, also sympathized with the people of his constituency while appealing to both state and federal government to quickly as a matter of urgency attend to the Auchi Okene Road. He added that Jattu-Junction is the entry point to many communities in Etsako.
The Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area thanked the Governor for his swift intervention, recalling a similar past incident where victims were compensated.
“Since the day of this incident, the government has been here. I believe His Excellency will also take care of the affected persons this time,” he said.
Victims and eyewitnesses, who were interviewed from their hospital beds, narrated their ordeals, while officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were also present during the assessment.
