By Agency Report
The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has called on the Federal and Lagos State Government to compensate victims of the March 2020 Abule Ado pipeline explosion in Lagos.
Adams made the call on Sunday in Lagos at a memorial prayer in honour of those who lost their lives during the pipeline explosion on March 15, 2020.
NAN reports that the event, organised by the Soba Landlords and Residents Association (SLARA), was held at the site of former Bethlehem Girls College where five people, including the School’s Principal, Rev. Sis. Henriatta Alokha, died.
Adams, who is also the Chairman of the Association, said the event was to ensure that memories of the incident; the lives lost, the losses incurred and the damage to the community, was not forgotten.
He added that it was also to remind the government of the promises made to the victims and urged them not to relent in fulfilling them.
According to him, it was unfortunate that the association had to resort to publicly reminding the government of their promises. He noted that 30 people including the Association’s Vice Chairman, his wife and two children, died instantly from the explosion, and over 300 houses were destroyed during the explosion.
“The governor was here, even the speaker of the house was here, some South-West governors were here and they made promises to those affected by the disaster that certain amount will be paid as compensation.
“We are using this opportunity to appeal to the LASG, as a state with honour and the economic nerve centre of our nation that they fulfill all promises made to the victims,” he said.
“The federal government should also do something tangible for the victims,” he said.
Adams disclosed that the Association had taken legal action against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) over the disaster.
He appealed to LASG to upgrade the status of the traditional ruler of the community in recognition of his efforts at developing the area.
Also, Vice Chairman of SLARA, Mr Philips Akinduro, urged LASG to help improve the lives of the members of the community by fulfilling its promises to the victims.
