The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State has commiserated with the families of the victims of the fuel fire disaster which occurred on Thursday at Okogbe in the Ahoada West local government area of the state. Describing the tragic incident as “an unprecedented human catastrophe,” the party through its state publicity secretary, Mr. George Ukwuoma-Nwogba, lamented the huge loss of precious lives in the state.
Ukwuoma-Nwogba who said that the state chairman of the party, Chief Godspower Ake, was “shaken” at the magnitude of the disaster, called for collective prayers of comfort and consolation for those families whose precious ones perished in the fire incident. According to the PDP spokesman, incidents as such draw attention to the urgent need for everyone to live for each other.
“This incident, though sad, draws attention to the urgent need for all to live as one another’s keeper. Let’s be united in life, sharing the grief of others at such moments of tragic events as in this instance.”
While commending Governor Chibuike Amaechi for responding timely to the tragedy and ordering full investigation and best medical attention to survivor-victims, the party praised the professional response offered by Dr. Sampson Parker, state commissioner for Health, the Special Duties commissioner, Emeka Nwogu, men of the state Fire Service, the Federal Road Safety Corps, volunteers and all others who offered assistance to the injured. Ukwuoma-Nwogba wondered why people seem hard at learning from incidents as the fuel fire disaster and similar disasters.
“We have been on this sad lane before. Our people ought to learn from previous experience and avoid exposing themselves to untimely deaths. We have suffered similar tragedies and had thought those sad lessons were enough. Our people should be life conscious.”
Ukwuoma-Nwogba added that as Rivers state mourns, it is imperative that politics be kept at abeyance.
“This is a period of mourning and no time for blame-trading. Precious lives have been lost which calls for collective reflection and prayer that God averts such disasters for us.”
