Edo State Governor pledges to rebuild Oluku market after fatal fire

A fatal fire at Oluku market in Edo State, triggered by a petrol tanker explosion, has prompted calls for improved safety standards and promises of reconstruction. The incident occurred along the Benin-Lagos Road in the Ovia North-East Local Government Area after a tanker fell, leading to an explosion that caused deaths and significant property destruction.

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo inspected the damage and pledged to rebuild the market and support affected traders. He criticized the lack of safety precautions, noting that individuals were scooping fuel before the explosion and that a second tanker was brought to the scene to evacuate fuel without proper safety measures. The Governor also visited victims at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.

Former Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki expressed condolences to the victims and their families, describing the tragedy as “tragic and avoidable.” He called for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and more effective emergency response mechanisms to prevent the recurrence of such disasters, which he noted are becoming increasingly common in Nigeria.