“I lost everything that I have laboured for over the years” – Ibadan fire victim laments

by Rachel Ogbu

fire_ibadan_0

Most of what’s left from the tanker fire at Omitowoju area of Ibadan are ashes, pain and despire.

More than 12 buildings were burnt down on Monday evening after a fully loaded petroleum tanker passing through a residential area fell off the road and spilled about 33, 000 litres of petrol.

Aminat’s life changed that instant, all she had worked for all her life as a provision’s dealer was destroyed in the flames.

“What first came to my mind was how to survive together with those very vulnerable ones under me, including my child, and we all survived by the grace of God; but I lost everything that I have laboured for over the years,” she said.

Her shop had goods worth about N600,000 and she had two teenagers in her care at the time the explosion shot through the air.

“I join my people to appeal to the government not to abandon us in this terrible moment”, Aminat said.

Aminat was just one of many victims who returned to the scene after the fire on Tuesday to take stock of their losses and what was left of their lives.

According to reports, Chairman of Ibadan North-West Local Government area, Wasiu Olatunbosun, described the incident as devastating and disheartening. At the site, Olatunbosun, blamed the tanker driver for negligence but thanked God that no one died.

The Daily Independent reports:

Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, also visited the scene of the fire and was moved by the extent of injury sustained by one of the landlords in the area, Yinusa Ajibade.

He directed the state Commissioner for Health, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, to immediately arrange for his treatment at government’s expense.

The Governor was welcomed to the area by thousands of residents, sympathisers and those who lost their property to the inferno.

He took time to inspect the various houses and shops affected, one after the other.

While describing the situation as “most unfortunate’’, Ajimobi said he could feel the pains of the victims, as he had also experienced a similar incident in 1992 when his newly-built house in Lagos was reduced to rubbles by fire.

He, however, admonished them to see the incident as an act of God, adding that they should even give thanks to God that no life was lost.

“My coming here is not to exploit the fire incident to campaign but to most sincerely sympathise with you. I know how painful it could be losing one’s means of livelihood to a raging fire because I was once involved too.

“But we should take solace in the fact that no life was lost.

“You should also have faith in God that He is able to replenish your lost property in multiple fold,’’ the Governor said.

He told those affected that he had asked some officials of government to compile their names and indicate the property lost to the fire, warning them however to be honest in the compilation in order not to jeopardise government’s plan towards them.

 

One comment

  1. Everyone can now make over $860 weekly through your liberty reserve account,
    it is simple , it is free, everyone can do it. for more information and details,
    visit this blog: http: //onlinefastdollarbiz.zohosites.com/.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

cool good eh love2 cute confused notgood numb disgusting fail