Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has pledged to rebuild the Oluku Market destroyed by Thursday’s petrol tanker explosion and provide support to traders who lost their shops, goods, and means of livelihood in the disaster.
The governor made the commitment on Friday during an assessment visit to the affected market along the Benin-Lagos Expressway in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state.
Describing the incident as tragic and heartbreaking, Okpebholo expressed sympathy with victims and their families, while noting that the disaster could have been prevented if appropriate safety measures had been observed.
He particularly faulted the handling of efforts to transfer fuel from the affected tanker, stressing that critical safety protocols were allegedly ignored during the evacuation process.
“The owner of the affected tanker also brought another tanker to evacuate the fuel, which is very wrong. If this had not happened, there would not have been any fire incident. This is the result of it. We are sorry. It is not our making, and we pray God keeps us alive,” the governor said.
Okpebholo assured traders that his administration would not abandon them and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to helping affected business owners recover from their losses.
The governor also disclosed that the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, had expressed concern over the incident and extended her sympathies to the victims and families of those who lost their lives.
“I spoke to the First Lady this morning, and she expressed her sadness over what happened yesterday,” he said.
While condoling with those affected, the governor urged residents to heed safety warnings and avoid gathering around accident scenes involving petroleum products.
“We are sorry. We, as human beings, should also take precautions whenever something like this happens. Before the explosion, people were scooping fuel. The state and federal governments have invested heavily in public awareness campaigns advising people to stay away from such scenes, but many still ignore the warnings,” he stated.
Governor Visits Hospitalised Victims
Following his inspection of the market, Governor Okpebholo visited the Burns and Plastic Surgery Ward of the Accident and Emergency Department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where some of the injured victims are receiving treatment.
Addressing relatives and caregivers at the hospital, he reiterated the dangers of fuel scooping and emphasized the need for greater public compliance with safety advisories.
The governor reassured victims of the state’s support and again pledged to rebuild the market and assist traders in restoring their livelihoods.
Traders Appeal for Assistance
Earlier, the Secretary of Oluku Market, Blessing Itoje, appealed to the governor for urgent intervention, saying traders were unable to salvage any property before the inferno engulfed the market.
“We couldn’t save anything; everything was burnt to ashes. Some of us are widows and depend on our small businesses to care for our families. Some traders were hospitalised due to the shock, while others are on oxygen. Many of us are also repaying loans,” she said.
Another trader, Julie Ologbosere, similarly appealed for government support, describing the losses suffered by traders as devastating.
Officials Accompany Governor
The governor was accompanied on the hospital visit by Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, former Edo State Governor Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Matthew Urhoghide, and other government officials.
They were received by the Chief Medical Director of UBTH, Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu, who conducted the delegation around the facilities where victims are undergoing treatment.
Meanwhile, the police confirmed that at least eight persons sustained varying degrees of burns after the petrol tanker fell and subsequently exploded near the busy market on Thursday, leaving a trail of destruction and injuries.
