Mr. Oseloka H. Obaze, reacts to the Onitsha fire incident that destroyed several homes and businesses

By Oseloka OBAZE
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Today I visited the scene of the horrific fire accident at the Oguta Road Awka road junction at Onitsha that destroyed a petrol station, and several homes and businesses. I commiserate with the victims of this unfortunate incident, while noting the huge financial and material losses which will run into billions of Naira.

Once again, our people have fallen victim to fire incident, which could have been prevented and contained sooner, were the necessary public service facilities like fire hydrants, fire trucks and pipe borne water easily accessible.

This particular incident underlines the zoning policy and enforcement failure and the increasing indiscriminate siting of petrol stations next to residential areas in our cities and towns.

Governmental and public service agencies responsible for approvals and monitoring of petrol station siting and activities, must assume vicarious responsibility for incidents such as these. Moreover, security of our people includes public safety and protection from being in harms way, including unwarranted fire and traffic accidents.

Awka, 16/02/17