Oluku Petrol Fire: Okpebholo Vows to Rebuild Burnt Market, Support Victims, Blames Tanker Owner

By Editor

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has pledged to rebuild Oluku Market, destroyed by a devastating fire triggered by a fuel tanker incident, and provide support to traders who lost their shops and goods in the disaster.

Okpebholo gave the assurance on Friday during an inspection of the affected market along the Benin-Lagos Road in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The governor, who expressed sadness over the incident, said the tragedy could have been avoided if adequate safety precautions had been observed, particularly by those involved in transferring fuel from the damaged tanker.

He assured the affected traders that his administration would not abandon them in their moment of distress, promising that the market would be rebuilt and measures taken to help them recover their livelihoods.

Okpebholo also cautioned residents against approaching scenes of fuel-related accidents to scoop petrol, warning that such reckless behaviour could lead to further loss of lives.

“We are sorry. We, as human beings, should also take precautions whenever something like this happens. Before the explosion, people were scooping fuel.

“But the state and federal governments have spent a lot of money on advertisements to educate the public to stay away from such disasters, but people won’t listen,” he said.

The governor criticised the owner of the affected tanker for allegedly bringing another tanker to transfer the fuel without putting the necessary safety measures in place.

“This is the result of it. We are sorry; it is not our making. We pray God keeps us alive,” he added.

As part of his visit, Okpebholo proceeded to the burns and plastic ward of the Accident and Emergency Department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), where victims of the inferno were receiving medical attention.

During his interaction with the victims and their parents, the governor reiterated the importance of complying with safety warnings at scenes of fuel tanker accidents, stressing that attempts to scoop petrol could turn an already dangerous situation into a deadly disaster.

He again assured the victims and affected traders of his administration’s commitment to rebuilding the market and providing assistance to those whose means of livelihood had been destroyed.

Earlier, the market secretary, Blessing Itoje, appealed to the governor and his entourage to intervene, explaining that the traders were unable to rescue their goods before the fire consumed their shops and merchandise.

According to her, the disaster had left many traders devastated, with some facing severe financial difficulties, including outstanding loans.

“We couldn’t even pick anything; everything burnt to ashes. Some of us are widows, and we use our meagre earnings to care for our families.

“Some of the traders were admitted to hospital due to the shock; some are on oxygen. Please, our father, some of us are servicing loans as I speak,” Itoje said.

Another trader, Julie Ologbosere, also appealed for government assistance, lamenting that the fire had wiped out the traders’ businesses and left many of them with nothing to fall back on.

At UBTH, the Chief Medical Director, Professor Idia Ize-Iyamu, led the governor and his entourage on a tour of the hospital facilities to assess the condition of the injured victims.

Those accompanying Okpebholo included his deputy, Dennis Idahosa; former Edo State governor and Senator, Adams Oshiomhole; and Senator Matthew Urhoghide.

The visit provided the governor an opportunity to assess the extent of the damage, commiserate with the affected traders and families, and reassure victims of the state government’s commitment to supporting their recovery.