By Precious Igbonwelundu, Oziegbe Okoeki and Gbenga Omokhunu
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said the investigation of the Abule Ado Lagos fire incident should produce results to prevent a reocurrence.
Jonathan, in a tweet via his verified Twitter handle @GEJonathan,on Tuesday wrote : “My heart goes out to all the victims and families of those killed in the unfortunate explosions and fire outbreak in Lagos last Sunday, which claimed many lives and destroyed several valuable assets.
“At a time like this, we cannot but rally behind those that have unnecessarily been put to grief.
“It is expected that the ongoing investigation by relevant authorities to determine the cause of the explosion must produce outcomes that should not only prevent such sad occurrences in the future but also reassure the victims and their loved ones that their sorrow and harrowing experiences have not been in vain.”
The Lagos State Government had earlier on Monday set up a fact-finding emergency committee on the explosions.
The panel headed by Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has two weeks to complete its assignment.
Other members of the committed are: Mr. Bamgbose-Martins (co-chairman), Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo; Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Rabiu Olowo Onaolapo; Commissioner for Environment, Tunji Bello; Commissioner, Ministry of Physical Planning, Dr. Idris Salako; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Ogboye; Permanent Secretary,Works and infrastructure, Olujimi Hotonu, the state Police Command Commissioner or the Deputy Commissioner of Police.
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Others are the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on security, the Chairman of Abule Ado Local Government Area, Representative of the CDC and CDA, Representative of St. Bethlehem Girls College, representative of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC);, Mrs Ada Oyetunde,; the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and representative of the host community.
The committee is to map out what needs to be done to ensure such incident does not repeat itself.
The Southwest Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), Ibrahim Farinloye, said the committee raise by Sanwo-Olu had directed the Ministry of Education to ensure the welfare of the injured pupils of St. Bethlehem Girls College.
He said: “We have commenced post disaster management. You can see people registering here. We are itemising losses incurred both human and material.
“We have released five numbers for people to report cases of missing persons and volunteer useful information.
“The Police will do necessary things to get the truck driver who we heard was still alive. Explosion had no relationship with gas. Pressure forced it out”
Meanwhile,the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has asked the Federal and the state governments to investigate the blasts with a view to discovering the remote and immediate causes.
CAN which also expressed shock over the involvement of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo’s convoy, condoled with those who lost their loved ones and prayed for quick recovery of the injured.
The association stated these in a statement by Rev. Bayo Oladeji, Special Assistant (Media &Communications) to its President, Rev. Samson Ayokunle.
It said: “Our hearts go to all the bereaved families and we pray to God to console and comfort them all. We at the same time pray for the quick recovery of those who are currently recuperating in the hospitals.
“The outcome of the investigation will as well allow disciplinary action to be taken against any act of negligence or criminality that caused the avoidable disaster. Human lives are too precious to be wasted.
“We condemn in strong terms, the transportation of explosive devices in the country without adequate preventive measures. It is high time all the agencies of the government were alive to their responsibilities.”
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