The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing has expressed profound grief over the devastating fuel tanker explosion that claimed multiple lives, including women and children, on Saturday morning at Ugwu Onyeama in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The tragic incident, which left scores dead and others severely injured, has reignited calls for better infrastructure and road safety in the South-East region. In a statement released on Saturday, the National President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, attributed the tragedy to poor infrastructure and government negligence, particularly the dilapidated state of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.
Igboayaka urged President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, to expedite the completion of the second lane of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, particularly at the critical 9th Mile axis. He further called on South-East governors to sign an executive order banning the movement of heavy-duty vehicles during the day, citing the narrow and poorly maintained roads in the region as a primary cause of such fatal accidents.
“This tragic incident is not isolated. Similar accidents have occurred on the same expressway due to the deplorable state of our roads. It is disheartening that innocent lives are continually lost because of government negligence and failed leadership,” the statement read.
The Ohanaeze Youth Council also demanded that the federal government prioritize the development of Igbo land, addressing the decaying infrastructure and creating an environment conducive for the well-being of its people. The council emphasized the need for urgent road construction, improved transportation systems, and enhanced public utilities to prevent future occurrences of such disasters.
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“As the apex youth organization of the Igbo nation, we have consistently advocated for the rights and interests of Igbo youths. Our concerns span infrastructure development, education, economic empowerment, and insecurity. These issues have been largely ignored by successive governments, further endangering the lives of our people,” Igboayaka stated.
The council called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies to provide immediate support to the families of the victims and those affected by the incident.
Ohanaeze youths also reiterated their commitment to holding leaders accountable and ensuring that the rights of Igbo people are prioritized. “We cannot continue to tolerate the negligence and incompetence of our leaders. It is time for the government to act decisively to address the infrastructure challenges in Igbo land and prevent such avoidable tragedies in the future,” the statement concluded.
As the nation mourns the loss of lives in this unfortunate incident, the Ohanaeze Youth Council remains resolute in its advocacy for better living conditions, infrastructure, and safety for the Igbo people.