The Peoples Democratic Party has expressed deep sympathy for the victims of the tragic petrol tanker explosion that claimed over 85 lives and left many injured at in Niger State on Saturday, blaming the All Progressive Congress-led government for the misfortune.
Speaking in Abuja on Monday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, described the incident as a reflection of the deteriorating state of the nation’s infrastructure and the hardship experienced by Nigerians under the All Progressives Congress administration.
Ologunagba stated, “This recent disaster adds to the ugly wave of tragic occurrences that have befallen our dear nation due to the deplorable state of infrastructure and disorienting economic hardship occasioned by the gross neglect of the wellbeing of the citizens since the inception of the APC in government.
“It is indeed disheartening that Nigerians, especially our youths and breadwinners of homes, continue to die on the highways and bear ugly scars as victims of the unspeakable misgovernance of the APC.”
The PDP urged the Federal Government to go beyond investigating the causes of such disasters and take concrete steps to address the underlying issues.
Ologunagba said, “Our Party calls on the Federal Government not to stop only at investigating the remote and immediate causes of this and similar incidents in the recent time but, most importantly, take immediate steps to address the situation that led to these sad occurrences.
“The Federal Government should end its resort to lip service and take steps to put adequate measures to ensure safer roads so as to prevent the re-occurrence of such tragic incidents in the country.”
The PDP commended the bravery and efforts of the police, firefighters, Federal Road Safety Corps, and other agencies, as well as patriotic Nigerians, who worked to control the fire and rescue victims.
The party extended its condolences to the families of the deceased and the Government and people of Niger State. It also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Ologunagba said, “The PDP commiserates with the families of the victims, the Government and people of Niger State, and prays to God to grant speedy recovery to the injured and fortitude to the families of the deceased at this trying time.”