The Edo State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and welfare of residents following the recent petrol tanker fire incident in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area, which left several people injured, with no fatalities recorded.
This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Mr. Ebojele Patrick. He disclosed that, on the governor’s directive, a high-powered delegation led by the Chief of Staff, Mallam Gani Audu, visited the scene of the incident as well as hospitals where victims are currently receiving treatment.
Speaking during the visit, Mallam Audu said the delegation was mandated to immediately proceed to Auchi to sympathise with the affected 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 December 17 to come to Auchi immediately, show solidarity with the community and sympathise with 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 official state matters, hence the constitution of 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 present, it shows that this is a responsible and responsive government that cares about its people,” Audu added.
The Chief of Staff noted that the delegation had visited both the scene of the inferno and the hospitals where victims were admitted, stressing that a detailed report would be submitted to the governor to guide long-term preventive measures.
“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 put in place to prevent a recurrence,” he said.
The Director-General of the Edo State Fire Service disclosed that Auchi currently lacks a 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 equipped with fire trucks. This is a densely populated commercial 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 expressway linking Jattu Junction.
“The undulating nature of this road is dangerous and requires urgent remedial work to avert future occurrences. From past records, several trailers have lost control along this axis,” 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.
“Premium Motor Spirit is highly flammable. Anywhere you see fuel spilling, run away immediately. Even minor static energy can ignite a fire. This is a strong warning to everyone,” he cautioned.
The Head of the Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EdoSEMA), Mr. Jerry Idahosa, revealed that 25 persons were affected by the incident, with 16 currently receiving treatment at Auchi General Hospital and Amazing Grace Hospital.
“Some shops were destroyed, four trucks were affected, and a few motorcycles were also burnt,” he said.
The Chief Whip of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Hussein Mustafa Lecky, also sympathised with the people of his constituency and appealed to both the state and federal governments to urgently attend to the Auchi–Okene road. He noted that Jattu Junction serves as a major entry point to several 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 present. I believe His Excellency will also take care of the affected persons this time,” he said.
Victims and eyewitnesses interviewed from their hospital beds narrated their experiences, while officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were also present during the assessment.
