The former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has urged all levels of government to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for citizens to prevent incidents like the recent tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over 150 lives.
The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate made this appeal during a visit to Jigawa following the tragic incident in Majiya town, located in the Taura Local Government Area.
Naija News recalls that the explosion occurred when a tanker overturned, spilling petrol, which locals began scooping before the deadly blast.
Describing the explosion as a “national disaster,” Obi expressed deep sympathy for the victims and pledged to contribute financially to support those affected.
In his message shared on X, on Monday, he emphasized the need for urgent intervention to assist the victims and their families, many of whom were young people in their most productive years.
Obi wrote, “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.”
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