News - North Central - Benue
Updated: April 20, 2021

Benue Tanker Explosion: Former Nigerian Minister Sends Message To Govt Agency, NGOs

By Ridwan Yusuf
April 20, 2021
0

Dr Sam Ode, a former minister of State for Niger Delta, has called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), to urgently support victims of the recent Agatu tanker explosion in Benue State.

The call was contained in a press statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Moses Oduh, his Zonal Coordinator, Benue South Senatorial District, in Makurdi.

On Sunday, April 18, the FRSC reported that a tanker conveying petroleum lost control, spilled fuel, before bursting into flames killing 12 persons and destroying several property in Oshigbudu, Agatu Local Government Area.

Ode, a frontline APC governorship aspirant in Benue, stressed the need for the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), NEMA, NGOs, other relevant agencies and stakeholders, to urgently provide support to the victims.

He said the assistance had become necessary, to avert an impending humanitarian crisis in the area.

The former Minister said there was already a humanitarian crisis in the community, saying that besides those that lost their lives, many others who were seriously injured needed medical attention.

“It is a serious emergency that demands the attention of the Federal and State authorities, as well as the intervention of international and non-state actors.

“Those who managed to escape the tragic inferno now face the sad reality of homelessness and hunger as their homes, food and other means of livelihood have gone up in flames.

“This is a traumatic experience for many in the community and the victims need urgent response to their fundamental needs, such as emergency medical care, food, clean water and safe shelter, among other needs, all of which have become a huge challenge.

“I, therefore, call on the State, Emergency management agencies and other related government agencies, non-governmental organizations at both national and international levels, as well as public-spirited individuals, to please come to the aid of the people of Oshigbudu.

“We need to urgently provide relief materials that would cushion the impact of this unfortunate incident on the affected families and assuage their plight,” he said.

Ode also commiserated with the families that lost their loved ones and property in the inferno, saying, “Words are never adequate to express the proper sense of loss at a time like this.

“My thoughts are with all the victims of the inferno at this moment of pain and colossal losses either due to bereavement or loss of property. Our hopes are, however, set on full recovery from this fire accident”, Ode said in the statement.