Bello reacts to tragic tanker explosion in Lokoja

The governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello has reacted to Wednesday’s tanker explosion that got about 30 persons burnt, saying, the incident was quite unfortunate and painful.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onogwu Mohammed, read in part, “Governor Bello is very sad to learn of the tragic loss of lives, many vehicles, property and other valuables in the petrol tanker fire, while expressing his deepest condolences to the families of those affected by the ugly occurrence.

“He said this is sadly the greatest tragedy the state has witnessed in recent times, while describing the unfortunate accident as a sad development and shares the feeling of those who lost their loved ones in this incident.”

He urged students of Kogi State Polytechnic not to take laws into their hands, saying, he equally shared in their grievances as a result of loss of some of their colleagues.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, who earlier was at the scene of the incident issued strong warning that Kogi State would not tolerate reckless driving on its roads.

He bemoaned the incessant fire incident as a result of the explosion from fuel and gas tankers, noting that government would stop at nothing to protect lives and properties of its citizens.

“This is sad and unacceptable,” he said while insisting that all road users must begin to act responsibly.

Fanwo stated, “This is one accident too many and we lost many of our citizens. The governor is clearly and understandably sad about this and has directed that we intensify campaign against reckless driving, especially on the ever-busy NATACO-Felele Expressway.

“The Ministry of Transportation is coming up with a collaboration programme with the Ministry of Information and Communications to enlighten and educate road users about their responsibly.

“Some of those who died today were young people, who were destroyed in their prime. We cannot continue like this.”

Fanwo said truck drivers must desist from using drugs and urged the FRSC and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to clamp down on truck drivers, who drive under the influence of drugs.