By Emmanuel Abi Couson
The Deputy Governor of Delta State Monday Onyeme visited the scene of a tanker explosion in Agbor, Ika North Local Government Area, promising the government’s support for those affected by the incident.
At least five persons died, and properties were destroyed when a tanker carrying petrol lost control and burst into flames on Sunday afternoon.
He visited the scene in the early hours of. Monday 6 barely some hours after the incident.
Onyeme was in the scene of the explosion for a first-hand assessment of the level of damage.
During the visit, the deputy governor described the incident as unfortunate and commiserated with the victims.
He, however, said the Delta State Government will compensate those affected and carry out remedial works on the damaged area.
“His Excellency sympathize with the entire Ika community, especially the victims, and the families of the victims,” he said.
“Be rest assured, as you can see, that the government is very, very ready and prepared to do whatever it takes to help those who are still in the hospital; who are still in pain.
“We will also look at the physical infrastructure, the extent of damage, and see how the government of Delta State will help to reduce the negative impact that it [explosion] has on the owners of these businesses,” Onyeme, who also came with a team of government officials, said.
He thanked the public and emergency responders for their efforts to put out the inferno.
The deputy governor also visited the family of one of the victims of the explosion Deborah Adomgbor to commiserate them over the deadly inferno which has left the community in shock.
“We are very much pained that such a thing happened especially this period of the New Year. It is quite painful; an accident,” he said.
“We that are alive, we would do whatever we can to cushion whatever effect we can cushion to ensure that people that are living, the negative impacts will be reduced.”
According to him, a team of experts will assess the situation and report back to the Delta State Government.
