Following a fuel tanker fire incident in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state, which resulted in multiple injuries, the Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and welfare of its citizens.
The state government revealed that a powerful delegation had been sent to the affected community and hospitals where victims are undergoing treatment in a statement signed and released on Saturday by Ebojele Akhere Patrick, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo.
On Governor Monday Okpebholo’s orders, the delegation, led by Mallam Gani Audu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, visited Auchi General Hospital and Amazing Grace Hospital, where casualties were admitted, in addition to the location of the fire.
According to Audu, the governor ordered the team to go to Auchi right away in order to express sympathy to the locals and carry out an immediate evaluation of the situation.
“When we learned about this incident on December 17th, the governor gave us a clear mandate to come to Auchi immediately to show solidarity and sympathy with the Auchi community and the victims,” he stated.
“His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has directed us to come here and evaluate the specifics of what transpired.”
The governor would have personally visited the region, but he was inevitably involved in state affairs in Abuja, according to the Chief of Staff.
He claims that the structure of a powerful delegation highlights the administration’s responsiveness.
“You can see that this is a responsible and responsive government that cares about the people 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,” said Audu.
He stated that the delegation had collected first-hand information from the hospitals and the scene and promised to provide the governor with a comprehensive report that would direct long-term preventive measures.
“We give thanks to God that nobody died. Now that we have first-hand knowledge, we will report it to the governor so that steps can be made to stop similar incidents from happening again,” he stated.
Auchi does not currently have a working fire station, according to the Director-General of the Edo State Fire Service, who claimed that the government was already taking action.
The governor has already promised that Auchi will get a fire station with fire trucks by January of next year. There should be a fire station in this densely populated business district, he said.
The Auchi-Okene motorway that connects Jattu Junction is in bad shape, according to Hon. Festus Ebea, Commissioner for Public Safety and Security.
This road’s undulating terrain poses a risk. To prevent such incidents, immediate corrective action is required. According to historical records, a number of trailers have not made it here, he stated.
Ebea promised that victims currently undergoing treatment will be covered by the state government.
Additionally, the commissioner cautioned locals against gathering fuel from downed tankers, calling the practice exceedingly risky.
PMS is extremely combustible. Run quickly if you see petrol spilling. Fire can start from even a small static force. “This is very important advice for everyone,” he said.
According to Jerry Idahosa, the head of the Edo State Emergency Management Agency, the incident injured twenty-five people.
According to him, 16 of the patients were still receiving care at Amazing Grace Hospital and Auchi General Hospital.
“A few motorbikes were also burned, four trucks were damaged, and some shops were destroyed,” Idahosa continued.
Hon. Hussein Mustafa Lecky, the Chief Whip of the Edo State House of Assembly, expressed sympathy for the residents of his district and urged the federal and state governments to immediately repair the Auchi–Okene road.
According to him, Jattu Junction is a vital gateway to numerous Etsako settlements.
In a similar vein, the chairman of Etsako West Local Government Area expressed gratitude to the governor for his prompt action, citing a previous instance in which victims received compensation.
The government has been present since the day of the occurrence. This time, I think His Excellency will also look after the impacted individuals,” he stated.
During the assessment, National Emergency Management Agency officials were present as well as victims and eyewitnesses who described their experiences from their hospital beds.
