Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has blamed the explosion of a petrol tanker in the Oluku area of Benin City on the tanker owner’s decision to transfer fuel to another tanker without taking the necessary safety precautions.
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.
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“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.
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