Ohaneze Ndigbo Anambra Visits Amawbia Tanker Fire Victims

Ichie Okeke-Ogene handing over cash gift to the representative of the fire victims

By Abuchi Onwumelu

The Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohaneze, Anambra State Chapter, led by its President, Ichie Damian Okeke-Ogene, has donated money to victims of last month’s tanker fire accident at Amawbia roundabout on the old Onitsha Expressway, just as it has promised to negotiate with appropriate unions and governments for their welfare.

Ogene made the presentation during a visit to the scene of the incident accompanied by the representative of NUPEG, Mr. Boniface Okafor, while victims of the inferno were led by their market leaders.

The petrol tanker fire had resulted in multiple deaths and destruction of property.

Speaking to newsmen at the scene of the incident, Chief Okeke-Ogene said the Ohanaeze sought to bridge the communication gap between the NUPEG and the victims of the inferno as a way of ameliorating the difficulties caused by the tanker explosion through initiating a compensation process with appropriate authorities.

While appreciating Governor Willie Obiano for his magnanimity, he described the incident as a huge tragedy to the people, expressing optimism that the meeting would yield fruitful results, even as he used the opportunity to appeal to the Transition Committee Chairman of Awka South Local Government Area and other stakeholders to initiate ways of helping the affected persons to come back to their feet to complement government’s efforts.

Responding, the vice chairman, Zik’s Avenue Business Association, Mr. Ikechukwu Okafor, and chairman, Agulu Road Traders Association, Mr. Sunday Obuyalu, appreciated Ohaneze for its proactive measures to give succour to the people and appealed to both the state and federal governments, including groups and organizations, to assist them to resume with their source of livelihood.

It will be recalled that Governor Willie Obiano, had while visiting the scene of the incident, sympathized with the victims and promised to offset all hospital bills, assuring that the state government would do its best in averting future occurrence.