Buhari expresses sadness over Onitsha tanker explosion, sympathises with victims family

By Bimbo Ogunnaike

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of a mother and her child in the tanker accident at Onitsha, Anambra State.

It would be recalled that a truck loaded with petroleum product exploded at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra State.

The truck was said to have lost control and rammed into the wall of the popular Toronto Hospital at Upper-Iweka before exploding.

In a statement on Thursday by Buhari’s Media Aide, Garba Shehu quoted the president as saying: “I am profoundly touched by the sight of the charred remains of an innocent mother and her child who are victims of this tragedy.

“I also extend my sympathies to other victims of the explosion whose houses, shops and other property were destroyed in the mishap.”

 “While I express sadness over this tragedy, I must at the same time call for urgent action on the part of those concerned to stem these frequent fatal disasters on public roads,”the President explained.

Buhari called on the Ministry of Transport under the leadership of Rotimi Amaechi, the Federal Road Safety Commission and other stakeholders to ensure safety standards are adhered to on Nigerian roads.

 “Safety precautions and routine maintenance are taken for granted by vehicle owners. I call on the Ministry of Transport, the Federal Road Safety Commission and other stakeholders to urgently address the issue of safety standards in the country, with a view to stemming the embarrassing frequency of these tragedies,” Buhari said.