Posted by From BOLU-OLU ESHO, Ado-Ekiti on
The Action Congress (AC) has renewed its call on the Federal Government to immediately find a lasting solution to the increasing cases of kerosene explosions, which have continued to maim and kill dozens across the country.
The Action Congress (AC) has renewed its call on the Federal Government to immediately find a lasting solution to the increasing cases of kerosene explosions, which have continued to maim and kill dozens across the country.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the government is guilty of inaction, wondering whether government could have remained passive on the issue if those affected were ‘big men'.
'The tragedy of the incessant Kerosene explosions in this country is that, it affects only the poorest of the poor or the so-called common people, who are usually killed or scarred for life. 'To worsen the situation, those affected by the explosions are those least equipped to deal with the aftermath, especially the debilitating scars that survivors are left to grapple with," AC said. The party wondered whether the government would have shown such an uncaring attitude if the victims were not those at the lowest strata of the society.
By way of comparison, it said the number of those who have died in plane crashes in recent times was still far below those who have been killed or maimed by kerosene explosions.
'Yet, the government has moved so fast to overhaul the entire aviation industry to prevent the spate of crashes witnessed in recent times.
While this is commendable, we call for the same urgent action to end deaths and injuries resulting from kerosene explosions," AC said. The party said while no one has been prosecuted or held responsible for what has now become so routine as to disappear from newspaper headlines, it is common knowledge that it is the handwork of unscrupulous petroleum marketing companies or profiteering middle men. 'These people capitalise on the inexplicable scarcity of kerosene to adulterate the product and maximise their gains, at the expense of human lives. That means the government too is liable for its inability to ensure the availability of the product nationwide.