…Cites Ignorance and Poverty as Contributing Factors
By Tina Amanda
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has expressed its deep condolences to the families of the victims of the tragic tanker explosion in Jigawa State, which claimed over one hundred and forty-seven (147) lives on Tuesday.
The explosion is one of the deadliest incidents in recent times, devastating the affected communities.
In a statement issued from its National Headquarters in Abuja, PETROAN attributed the high death toll to widespread ignorance and the crippling effects of poverty.
The association highlighted that many of the victims might have been aware of the dangers of scooping fuel from the tanker but were driven by desperation, hunger, and the harsh economic realities plaguing the nation.
Citing a recent World Bank report on Nigeria’s inflation index, PETROAN emphasized that the surge in fuel prices has severely impacted transportation and production costs, further exacerbating poverty and leaving many Nigerians struggling to survive.
“In this time of hardship, people are searching for food at any cost,” the statement noted. “Some of the victims may have understood the dangers but felt they had no choice but to take the risk.”
In response to this tragedy, PETROAN called on the National Orientation Agency to launch a door-to-door awareness campaign, educating citizens about the dangers of scooping fuel from accident sites.
They also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to station fire trucks at strategic points along major highways to prevent future tragedies.
The association further emphasized that while some blamed the victims for their actions, the real culprit is the deep-seated poverty and hunger in the land.
“We pray that Almighty God will show mercy to the souls of the departed,” PETROAN said in the statement, extending its condolences to the people of Jigawa.
PETROAN’s National President, Dr. Billy Gillis-Harry, also sent a formal letter of condolence to the governor of Jigawa, urging Nigerians to avoid approaching fallen petroleum trucks in the future.
He expressed hope that God would grant the bereaved families the strength to bear their losses and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the explosion.
Dr. Joseph Obele, PETROAN’s National Publicity Secretary, reiterated the association’s commitment to supporting the victims and advocating for preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
