Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has expressed sadness over the explosion in Jigawa State, describing it as a national tragedy, News About Nigeria reports
Obi made this known when he paid a courtesy visit to Jigawa State following the oil tanker explosion that claimed more than 150 lives in one day.
Recall that the an explosion had happened at Majiya town, in the Taura Local Government Area of the state, killing scores, and hospitalising others after the indigenes started scooping petrol when the driver lost control, causing the tanker to overturn.
Reacting to the tragedy, the former Anambra State governor called on government officials on all levels to provide sources of livelihood for their citizens to avoid them falling victim to occurrences such as the Jigawa State tanker explosion.
He also pledged to donate funds to the victims of the explosion.
He said, “As planned today, I visited Dutse, Jigawa State, to commiserate with Governor Alhaji Umar Namadi Dan Modi and the people of Jigawa over the tragic petroleum tanker incident that took over 180 lives and over 80 still hospitalised.
“Those who died and were hospitalized are mainly young people in their prime productive years. This is a national tragedy. I pray for the departed souls and strength for their bereaved families.
“I also pledge to donate to the victims. I appreciate and thank the government for the efforts they are making to alleviate the suffering and help those in the hospital.
“Again, I use this as a point of contact to condole all the victims of the tanker explosion and spillage and to urge tanker drivers to be more careful.
“I also call on governments at all levels to provide our people with a source of livelihood to avoid things that will jeopardize their lives.
“The frequency of tragedies in our nation has become a concerning issue that calls for special supplications for God’s intervention even as relevant stakeholders and governments at all levels should strive to put in place infrastructure and laws that will help prevent such ugly incidents. Tragedies occur when necessary human action is not adequately taken to mitigate misfortune.”
