The Member representing Aninri, Awgu, and Oji-River Federal Constituency, Chief Anayo Onwuegbu, has expressed sorrow over the fuel-laden tanker explosion that took place at the weekend on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.
The incident, which occurred along the Ugwu-Onyeama section of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway on Saturday when a fuel-laden tanker lost control, resulting in an explosion that claimed 18 lives and left several others injured.
Onwuegbu, in a statement on Monday in Enugu, extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and offered prayers for the souls of the deceased; while wishing recovery to those currently receiving medical care.
According to him, the event is a heartbreaking tragedy, impacting not only the families involved but the entire region. He also called on the Federal Ministry of Works to “urgently complete” the second lane of the road to minimise accidents.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives and the injuries sustained from this horrific accident. On behalf of the people of Aninri, Awgu, and Oji-River Constituency, our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families,” Onwuegbu said.
The lawmaker also commended the swift response of the Enugu State Fire Service; Federal Road Safety Corps, the State Emergency Management Agency, and other emergency responders who worked tirelessly to manage the aftermath of the explosion.
He, however, emphasised the importance of strengthening traffic safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“We must not allow such an incident to occur again. I call on relevant authorities to consider enforcing more stringent safety measures on the roads and urge the Federal Government to expedite the completion of the second lane of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway. This would help ease congestion and reduce the risk of future accidents,” he added.
Onwuegbu noted that as the community and state mourn this unfortunate loss, “I pray for the eternal rest of those who lost their lives and for the recovery of the injured.
“May God grant eternal rest to the departed and provide strength for the injured to recover rapidly. I urge all road users to prioritise safety to avoid such devastating accidents,” he said.
