Metro
ONITSHA FIRE: Buhari blames disaster on neglect for safety precaution
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday expressed sadness over the tanker explosion in Onitsha, Anambra State, which caused massive destruction of lives and properties.
President Buhari, meanwhile, blamed the tragic incident on neglect of safety precautions and routine maintenance by vehicle owners.
A statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu said, “Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of a mother and her child as a result of an oil tanker accident in Onitsha, in Anambra State.
“Safety precautions and routine maintenance are taken for granted by vehicle owners.”
The President then called 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.”
Meanwhile, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019 general elections, Atiku Abubakar has described the incident as preventable.
READ ALSO: Six houses, shops razed in Onitsha tanker explosion
He said in a post on his Twitter account (@atiku): “We’ve had many preventable fuel tanker tragedies. I received with sadness, reports of a tanker explosion in Onitsha, Anambra State, which caused massive destruction to lives and properties in Ochanja Market area. My prayers and thoughts are with the families of the affected.”
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