OGONI YOUTHS DEMAND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR TANKER EXPLOSION AT THE ELEME SECTION OF EAST WEST ROAD, THREATEN TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION AND TO SHUTDOWN ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA
The Joint Representatives Council (JRC) of Ogoni Youth Groups is deeply saddened by the Petroleum tanker explosion incident of Friday 26th April 2024, along the Eleme Section of the East West road, which led to the destruction of properties worth billions of Naira, and worse still, the loss of human lives the number of which is yet to be ascertained.
The avoidable nature of this horrific incident makes it the more unbearable.
to not only ease traffic, but to save lives.
It is on record that within the past two decades, the number of lives lost on the Eleme Section of the East West road has exceeded 500 persons, more than any other Federal Government road in Nigeria, with the number of casualties increasing with each passing year due to a complete failure of leadership and an absence of governance at all levels.
The Rivers State Government itself is not left out. Its failure as made glaring by a near-absence of Emergency Response Services (ERS) at the scene to help reduce the impact of the explosion and the spread of the inferno, and to also save lives, stands condemned.
The JRC consequently holds the Federal Government responsible for the loss of lives and destruction of properties stemming from this unfortunate incident as a result of its general ineptitude.
As such, the Nigerian Government must take responsibility and set in motion a system to collate data on all those affected by this incident so as to properly compensate them for their losses.
We would like to also make it clear that failure of the government to announce its plans in this regard within the next seven (7) days will leave Ogoni youths with no other option than to institute a class action suit against the Nigerian Government, and a shutdown of the Eleme Section of the East West Road and all economic activities along that stretch until the actions as demanded by the JRC are taken by the Federal Government.
The JRC commiserates with the bereaved families and those who lost valuables, and we pray for the repose of the lost souls.
Signed,
Nubari Saatah,
Spokesperson,
Joint Representative Council (JRC) of Ogoni Youth Groups
