The Edo State All Progressives Congress Campaign Council has commiserated with victims of the tanker explosion near Oluku along the Benin-Lagos Road, Benin City, describing the incident as tragic and avoidable.
The council, in a statement issued by its Director of Media, John Mayaki, expressed sympathy with families who lost loved ones and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured and receiving treatment.
Mayaki particularly commended the Chief Medical Director of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Prof. Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu, for personally coordinating the hospital’s emergency response to the incident.
He also praised doctors, nurses, emergency personnel and other UBTH workers involved in treating the victims.
“We commend Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu, Chief Medical Director of UBTH, for rising to the occasion and personally coordinating the emergency medical response to this unfortunate incident,” Mayaki said.
He described the response by the UBTH management and staff as an example of leadership and professionalism during a public emergency.
The campaign council also commended firefighters, Federal Road Safety Corps personnel, police officers, emergency management agencies, ambulance operators, volunteers and other responders involved in rescue operations.
According to Mayaki, the responders demonstrated courage by putting their lives at risk to save others during the emergency.
The council also warned residents against the dangerous practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers or accident scenes.
Mayaki urged residents to stay away from such scenes and immediately alert relevant authorities, warning that spilled petroleum products could ignite and cause further casualties.
“We appeal to our people to stop scooping fuel whenever a tanker falls or petroleum products spill on the road. No quantity of petrol or diesel is worth your life,” he said.
The council further called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosion, including the cause of the incident and the number of casualties, while urging authorities to strengthen safety measures along major highways.
It also urged the FRSC, fire services, emergency management agencies and other relevant institutions to intensify public sensitisation on the dangers of fuel scooping and unsafe conduct around petroleum tankers.
The campaign council, however, criticised attempts to introduce political undertones into discussions surrounding the incident.
Mayaki referenced a social media post attributed to a Benin-based lawyer that described the fire outbreak as “a welcoming scene” for the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who was reportedly visiting the state.
He questioned the relevance of linking the tanker explosion to the First Lady’s visit, urging political actors to show restraint and compassion when dealing with tragedies.
“Our differences in politics should never deprive us of compassion. A tragedy is a tragedy, whether it happens under an APC, PDP or ADC administration,” he said.
He urged motorists, residents and community leaders to cooperate with emergency responders and avoid actions that could obstruct rescue operations.
“Edo State belongs to all of us. Our humanity must always come before our politics,” Mayaki said.
The council again sympathised with families affected by the explosion and commended UBTH management, health workers, firefighters, security personnel and other emergency responders for their efforts.
It also prayed for the recovery of those injured and urged relevant authorities to take measures to prevent a recurrence.