The Edo State Government has reiterated its commitment to the safety and welfare of residents following a petrol tanker fire incident in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state, which left several persons injured.
In a statement signed and issued on Saturday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Ebojele Akhere Patrick, the state government disclosed that a high-powered delegation had been dispatched to the affected community and hospitals where victims are receiving treatment.
The delegation, led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mallam Gani Audu, visited the scene of the inferno as well as Auchi General Hospital and Amazing Grace Hospital, where victims were admitted, on the directive of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Audu said the governor mandated that the team immediately proceed to Auchi to sympathise with the community and conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the incident.
“We were given a clear mandate by the governor when we heard of this incident on the 17th of December that we should come to Auchi immediately to show solidarity and sympathise with the Auchi community and the victims,” he said.
“We are here on the directive of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to assess exactly what happened.”
The Chief of Staff explained that although the governor would have personally visited the area, he was unavoidably engaged in Abuja on state matters.
According to him, the constitution of a strong delegation underscores the responsiveness of the administration.
“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, you can see that this is a responsible and responsive government that cares about the people,” Audu added.
He noted that the delegation had gathered first-hand information from the scene and the hospitals, assuring 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 taken to prevent such occurrences in the future,” he said.
It was reported that the Director-General of the Edo State Fire Service revealed that Auchi currently has no functional fire station, a situation he said the government was already addressing.
“There is already an assurance from the governor that by January next year, Auchi will have a fire station with fire trucks. This is a highly populated business area and it deserves a fire station,” he stated.
The Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Hon. Festus Ebea, attributed the incident partly to the poor condition of the Auchi–Okene expressway linking Jattu Junction.
“The undulating nature of this road is dangerous. We need urgent remedial work to avert future occurrences. From past records, several trailers have missed their way here,” he said.
Ebea assured that the state government would take responsibility for victims still receiving treatment.
The commissioner also warned residents against scooping fuel from fallen tankers, describing the practice as extremely dangerous.
“PMS is highly flammable. Anywhere you see fuel flowing, run away fast. Even a minor static force can ignite fire. This is strong advice to everyone,” he cautioned.
The Head of the Edo State Emergency Management Agency, Jerry Idahosa, disclosed that 25 persons were affected by the incident.
He said 16 of the victims were still undergoing treatment at Auchi General Hospital and Amazing Grace Hospital.
“Some shops were destroyed, four trucks were affected, and a few motorbikes were also burnt,” Idahosa added.
The Chief Whip of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Hussein Mustafa Lecky, sympathised with the people of his constituency and appealed to both the state and Federal Government to urgently fix the Auchi–Okene road.
He described Jattu Junction as a critical entry point to many communities in Etsako.
Similarly, 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 here. I believe His Excellency will also take care of the affected persons this time,” he said.
Victims and eyewitnesses, who spoke from their hospital beds, narrated their experiences, while officials of the National Emergency Management Agency were also present during the assessment.
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