Otedola bridge accident most unfortunate, regrettable - Lagos govt, speaker, ADP react

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- The Lagos state government says it is doing everything to clear the Otedola Bridge of the wreckage of a tanker fire accident that claimed lives and destroyed vehicles

- The ADP wants the government to come up with a timetable for the movement of tankers with petroleum products

- Speaker Mudashiru Obasa condoles with families of the victims of the accident

Reactions have continued to trail the tanker fire accident that occurred in the evening of Thursday, June 28, on the Otedola Bridge in Lagos with the state government and others expressing shock over the incident.

The accident reportedly led to the death nine people and the destruction of at least 54 vehicles. Many others sustained injury as the fire raged.

In its reaction, the Lagos state government commiserated with families of victims who lost their lives and property in the fatal tanker explosion.

In a statement made available to NAIJ.com and signed by Kehinde Bamigbetan, the state information and strategy commissioner, described the incident as a sad development, saying that it was most unfortunate and regrettable.

“On behalf of the Lagos state government, we extend our deepest commiseration to the families of persons who lost their lives as well as properties to the incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in this time of pain and grief.

“As a government, we would not relent in putting measures in place to ensure safety of lives and property of all residents,” Bamigbetan said.

Bamigbetan said that Governor Ambode had directed all relevant agencies to move into the area to normalise the apprehension that had taken over the area and to also ensure that those in need are adequately taken care of.

The governor assured that clearing of the highway of damaged vehicles to establish normal traffic flow would continue throughout the night until the objective is achieved.

He called for the co-operation of all citizens with the officials of the agencies to restore the situation to normalcy.

He also urged motorists to continue to adhere to the safety standard and the state Traffic Laws so as to prevent a re-occurrence of such incidents.

ADP tasks Lagos government on timetable for transportation of petroleum products

The Lagos state chapter of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) also condoled with the families of victims of the unexpected tanker explosion.

In its reaction signed by its publicity secretary, Prince Adelaja Adeoye, the party condoled with the families of those who unfortunately lost their lives in the accident and those who sustained injuries resulting from the fuel tanker explosion.

According to the ADP, the spate of tanker accidents associated with fuel in Lagos is becoming too worrisome.

The party observed that it can be curtailed by ensuring that drivers of PMS loaded-tankers comply with government directive specifying the time they must ply major roads in the state.

It also noted that it is too dangerous for highly inflamable substances such as PMS and liquefied gas to be transported with other road users at the same time.

The ADP called on the Lagos state government to come up with a time table for movement of petroleum products and other heavy duty trucks capable of causing frequent road accident, sounding as important the need to enforce this law to safeguard lives and properties of citizenry.

The party cited a similar incident that caused accident in Ojuelegba area of the state where a truck derailed from the over- head bridge which claimed several lives recently.

The party asked Lagosians to remain calm at this trying time and pray for the quick recovery of those who sustained various degrees of injury, praying for the repose of the departed souls.

ADP, however, encouraged the general public to donate blood and relief materials to victims at various hospital across the state.

Speaker Obasa condoles with victims’ families

The speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Rt Hon Mudashiru Obasa, condoled with the families of victims who lost their lives in the tanker accident which occurred at the state end of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

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Obasa, while describing the incident as a sad development, prayed to God to give the victims' families the fortitude to hear the loss.

"It is a sad development and I share the feeling of those who lost their loved ones in this incident.

“I pray to God to give the victims' families the fortitude to bear the loss," the Lagos Assembly speaker said in his condolence message signed by his chief press secretary, Musbau Rasak.

NAIJ.com reported how one Adewale Adesanya, a survivor of the Otedola Bridge fire which occurred on Thursday, June 28, disclosed how he escaped from the terrible inferno.

The lucky survivor said he never envisaged that the fuel tanker which caused the fire would experience any brake failure.

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