By Warefa Pereke.
January 31, 2025.
The Society for the Welfare of Unemployed Youths of Nigeria (SWUYN) is deeply saddened by the recent tragic incidents involving petrol tankers in Enugu and Niger states. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of the victims who lost their lives in these senseless tragedies.
On one hand, we mourn the loss of 15 precious lives at Ugwu Onyeama area in Enugu North, Enugu state. The pain and grief caused by this incident are immeasurable, and we can only imagine the devastation felt by the affected families.
Barely a week later, another devastating incident occurred at Ditto junction, Suleja, Niger State, where nearly 100 lives were lost in a similar incident. We mourn. Yes, we mourning. The fact that people were scooping fuel from a fallen tanker, unaware of the dangers, makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking.
As a society, we cannot continue to witness such tragedies without taking concrete actions to prevent them. We urge the government, relevant authorities, and stakeholders to take the following steps:
- Improve Road Safety: Ensure that roads are well-maintained, and tanker drivers are properly trained and licensed.
- Enforce Safety Regulations: Strictly enforce safety regulations, such as regular vehicle maintenance, proper loading and securing of cargo, and adherence to speed limits.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Launch public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers and the importance of road safety.
- Emergency Response Plans: Develop and implement effective emergency response plans to minimize the impact of such tragedies.
To the families and loved ones of the victims, we offer our deepest condolences. May you find strength and comfort in this difficult time. We also urge our youths to be vigilant and proactive in promoting road safety, stop the senseless scooping and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Together, we can make a difference and create a safer, more compassionate society for all.
Preye V. Tambou, National President,
The Society for the Welfare of Unemployed Youths of Nigeria (SWUYN).
