ONITSHA INFERNO: THE WAY FORWARD
The economic life in the ancient city of Onitsha – home to the biggest trading market in West Africa was dealt a heavy blow on Wednesday, 16th October 2019, as a 33,000 litre tanker laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) toppled over, spilling its contents on the highway and into the city's drainage network thus resulting in a raging 5 hours inferno that claimed two lives and billions of Naira worth of goods and properties, confirmed sources report.
The thick sooted skylines that hung over the busy #Ochanja market left a conspicuous evidence of the gross failure of the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano who came under fire recently for placing a $1382 blood money restitution on the life of his citizens in event that they get killed by nomadic weapon wielding #Fulani #herdsmen.
For a state known for the worst form of incessant multiple taxation with billions of Naira allocated yearly for the operations of fire service, the absence of an adequate and active fire service in #Onitsha main market speaks volume of the fine blend of greed, corruption and irresponsibility that trickles from the government to the unions in charge of these markets.
Another tragedy was slightly averted Friday, 18th October 2019 after a petrol tanker lost control due to brake failure, fell and spilled fuel into a canal around Omagba Phase two at 4am and it caught fire due to spill. Like Wednesday's event, Anambra Fire Service was unable to render any help to quench the fire.
A mere compensation of the victims however laudable, only amounts to an attempt to paper over the cracks and it behooves an independent investigation by the Federal Government into the corrupt activities of the State government that has crippled the sector and exposed their incompetence. As a matter of urgency, Anambra State requires functional Fire Stations at public places such as markets and malls to ensure a swift response in cases of this nature.
'Ozo emena' (This tragedy should not reoccur).
Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari Professor Yemi Osinbajo FEDERAL FIRE SERVICE Anambra State Online Anambra State Anambra State Government of Nigeria All Progressive Grand Alliance Willie Maduabuchi Obiano Dr. Nkem Okeke Blaze 91.5 FM 88.9 Brila Fm Onitsha Anambra Broadcasting Service – ABS Onitsha Town Anambra Onitsha Ado N'idu Onitsha Social media Hangout Federal Road Safety Commission Mr. Peter Obi Obi Of Onitsha Palace South East Governors Forum Vanguard News Daily Post Nigeria Daily Times Nigeria
Photo Credit: Premium Times
