By Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called for a rejig of the nation’s emergency response in a manner that will educate Nigerians on how to prevent disasters.
The party said the overhaul of the emergency management must be geared towards strengthening response to disasters by the relevant agencies of government and volunteer groups.
In a statement on Monday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party insisted that drastic measures must be adopted to check recurring disasters in the country.
The PDP expressed shock and grief at Sunday’s devastating explosion in Abule-Ado, Lagos state in which no fewer than 20 persons died and many others were injured.
Also, property worth billions of Naira got destroyed as many were rendered homeless in a gas explosion fire that ravaged the community.
The statement said, “The PDP is particularly worried about the spate of explosions and other avoidable disasters, particularly in Lagos and other strategic states, which raises grave public safety concerns in our nation’s commercial nerve centres.
“The party recalls that only in January, a pipeline explosion rocked Abule-Egba in Lagos state in which compatriots were killed in an inferno that razed valuables and brought anguish to many families.
“Explosion has again brought sorrow, anguish and pain to families who are now suffering bereavement, injuries, homelessness, loss of property and means of livelihood.
“The PDP is grieved by the traumatising effect of the explosion on a school, which killed the school principal, Revd. Sist. Henrietta Alokha, and injured many of the students.
“Our party notes the heroic service rendered by Revd. Sister Alokha in saving no fewer than 300 students and losing her own life at the end.
“The PDP therefore urges the Federal Government to confer a worthy posthumous recognition in honour of Revd Sister Alokha.
“The PDP deeply commiserates with the victims of the explosion and urged relevant authorities as well as public spirited individuals, groups and establishments to come to their aid.
“Our party calls on all Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue to pray for divine intervention on our nation at this trying time.”
