The South East Senate Caucus on Sunday expressed shock and sorrow over the multiple deaths caused by a fallen petrol tanker in Ugwu Onyema in Enugu.
This was as the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Ben Kalu, urged the Federal Government to take immediate action on the deplorable state of South East roads, especially the 9th Mile Expressway, provide safety measures, and educate citizens to help prevent such tragedies in the future.
The South East Senate Caucus, which also expressed sadness over a similar occurrence in Niger State last weekend, said through a statement by its leader, Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, on Sunday, “the unfortunate incident has become one too many”, adding “it is disheartening that Nigerians were being literally roasted on the roads as a result of avoidable accidents” and called on the relevant authorities to deploy immediately to nip future occurrences in the bud.
The caucus, he said, is pained that innocent people, particularly road users, are now frequently caught up in accidents that are a result of total neglect of the nation’s highways by traffic managers, stating “It’s sorrowful and very unfortunate that we will lose many of our people, whose total number is yet to be ascertained barely a week after a similar incident in Niger State, which pain and shock Nigeria is yet to recover from.
“It is high time the traffic managers step up their game. The frequency of these accidents now constitutes a total embarrassment to the country. We can’t continue losing our people this way.”
Similarly, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu, representing Abia North Senatorial District, expressed his sadness over the incident.
In a statement released on Sunday, Kalu, who is a former governor of Abia State, extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, offering prayers for the souls of the deceased and wishing a speedy recovery to those receiving medical attention.
Kalu also condoled the Government of Enugu State led by Gov. Peter Mbah. He commended the swift response of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and other relevant authorities for their efforts in managing the disaster.
He also emphasised the need for road users, particularly fuel tanker operators, to exercise caution and adhere to safety regulations to prevent such occurrences in the future.
“On behalf of the people of Abia North Senatorial District, our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this unfortunate incident and the Government of Enugu State led by Gov. Peter Mbah.”
While urging all road users to “prioritise safety to avoid such devastating accidents”, Kalu called for enhanced enforcement of road safety measures to ensure the protection of lives and property across the country.
Also lamenting, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, expressed his deep sadness over the incident through a statement issued by Udora Orizu, his SA Press Affairs, and condoled the families of the victims as well as the government and people of Enugu State, praying to God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
He also recalled the incident which recently happened in Niger State, urging the Federal Government to urgently direct relevant authorities to complete the rehabilitation of the road and others to forestall further occurrences.
The Deputy Speaker also stressed the need for relevant authorities to provide safety measures and educate citizens to prevent such tragedies in the future and urged the relevant government agencies to provide relief materials to the bereaved, adding that the National Assembly will continue to support the Federal Government through budgetary allocation and legislative instruments.
“I’m deeply saddened by the news of the fuel tanker explosion in Enugu State yesterday which caused the death of several people, with many also injured. This horrific incident happened just days after another tanker exploded in Niger State with over 80 people killed. I am deeply concerned, it’s been one death too many. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families as well as the government and the people of Enugu State.
“I also want to use this opportunity to urge the Federal Government to take immediate action in addressing the deplorable state of our roads, especially the 9th Mile Expressway, provide safety measures, and educate citizens to help prevent such tragedies in the future. It’s our responsibility to act now and protect ourselves.”
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