PDP Governors, Atiku Commiserate With Rivers, Ogun Over Tanker Explosions

Atiku Abubakar, a former Vice president and the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDP-GF) has commiserated with the victims of the twin tanker explosion in both Rivers and Ogun States. The PDP governors in its statement have described the event as a regrettable one, which led to the loss of lives and properties resulting from the carnage on April 27, 2024. This incident engulfed several ill-fated commuters on the East-West Road along the Indorama-Petrochemical-Aleto axis. The Forum said it is saddened by the painful loss which has impacted not only the Rivers State but the entire country. The forum’s chairman is the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, who is the forum’s director general signed the statement saying “We express our call for quick intervention on the reconstruction of this road by the Federal Government, this is to prevent a reoccurrence of the gory sights witnessed there at Eleme, or elsewhere in the country”. Dr. Emmanuel continued his statement by saying that, “The Forum hopefully envisages a Federal Government policy review to reduce bureaucracy by approving quick interventions by host State governments where needed on similar impassable FG roads which in reality stagnate progress and threaten the safety of lives and properties of its citizens.”

Atiku, on his part, advocated for mechanisms to be put in place for the transitioning to a much safer mode of transporting petroleum products, especially in urban centers. He said this while commiserating with the victims of the twin tanker explosion in both Rivers and Ogun States. According to reports, the incident that occurred in Rivers State happened on Friday, leaving many fatalities and destruction. A similar incident occurred in Ogun State on Friday where a gas tanker explosion was said to have left 4 persons dead and several properties razed. Through a press statement signed by his Media Adviser whose name is Paul Ibe, on Monday, Atiku shared his condolence to the families of the bereaved.

According to Atiku, “It hurts to say that I feel the anguish of those who have lost loved ones in these twin disasters”. He continued by saying, “For those who lost their lives in these incidents, it is my prayer that their souls find God’s mercies and rest in peace. He also prayed for the bereaved saying that the Almighty shall ease the pains in their hearts and grant them the fortitude to bear the unfortunate loss. He also continued by saying, “It is also my prayer, that everyone who has lost valuable belongings and property to the disaster, the Almighty shall enlarge His provisions to you and please you with something better than what was lost.” He urged both Governor Similayi Fubara and Dapo Abiodun to ensure that the government carries out thorough investigations into the incidents.