The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed its deep sadness over the devastating petroleum tanker explosion which claimed more than 80 lives at Dikko Community, Niger State, on Saturday.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba in Kaduna on Monday, the ACF commiserated with the members of the Diko Community, the Zazzau – Suleja Emirate, and the government as well as the people of Niger State over the tragedy.
The northern body also reiterated its call for intensive public enlightenment on the dangers of rushing for inflammable substances at accident scenes.
Muhammad-Baba said,”we are gravely saddened by the loss of lives, injuries, and property damage caused by the tanker explosion.
We pray for divine succor to all those affected and for a quick recovery from the impact of the incident.”
“It is indeed tempting to partly attribute the mad rush for the contents of the tanker to the high price that petroleum products command,” Muhammad-Baba said.
“However, the reality is that such crass looting of accidented vehicles is not a new phenomenon and signals the decline of edifying cultural values which ordinarily dictate the principle of ‘Safety First, Always!’”
The ACF further called on the government and relevant agencies to take proactive measures to prevent future occurrences and mitigate the impact of such incidents.
“We urge the government and relevant agencies to mobilize humanitarian relief, including food, shelter, and medications, to support the victims..
“We also call for sustained mass, multimedia, and multi-pronged public enlightenment campaigns to educate people on the dangers of petroleum and other inflammable substances,” he said.
This was just as the ACF also commended the prompt response to the incident by the Niger State Government, federal security agencies, and other relevant bodies.
“We commend the prompt response to the incident by the Niger State Government, federal security agencies, and other relevant bodies.
“We urge them to sustain their efforts to prevent future occurrences and mitigate the impact of such incidents,” the ACF’s Spokesman added.