Sanwo Olu describes scene as war zone, earmarks N2bn relief fund  

letters

Sanwo Olu describes scene as war zone, earmarks N2bn relief fund  

 

The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described the scene of Abule-Ado explosion in Lagos as a war zone, saying we have never seen such before in Lagos.

The governor who was at the scene on an on the spot assessment and to condole with the residents told residents of the area said that a panel of inquiry will also be set up with the Deputy governor, Obafemi Hamzat.

Sanwo-Olu also announced the establishment of the “Abule Ado Emergency Relief Fund”.

He said that three account numbers had been opened at different banks for well-meaning Nigerians to assist the state government in assisting the victims.

He said that the banks with the same account name as “Abule Ado Emergency Relief Fund” included Polaris Bank 4030017510, Zenith Bank 10171845716 and GT Bank 0586615680.

“It is a N2 billion relief fund, and the state government will immediately be putting N250 million in that fund. This is certainly beyond what the state government can undertake on its own. This is beyond what the government, be it at the national or state, can undertake on its own”.

“So, what this fund would do is to give everybody the opportunity to be part of it and to be able to donate into it,” the governor said.

He also added that critical stakeholders will be members of the committee which include: Commissioner for special duty as the co-chairman; Commissioner for education; Commissioner for finance; Commissioner for Environment; Permanent secretary; the ministry of Health, Permanent secretary; works and infrastructure; the Commissioner of police or the deputy commissioner of police will also be part of the committee.

Others are the senior special assistant on security; Chairman of the Local government; Representative of the CDC and CDA; Representative of St. Bethlehem Girls college; Commissioner for the ministry of physical planning; Representative of the NNPC; National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), and two representatives of the host community.

The committee has been given 2 weeks to submit its report on cause explosion.

Sanwo-Olu however added that 250 street sweepers will be deployed by LAWMA to clean up the area.

He however noted “we have to right the wrong”, he said.

About 18 persons have been reported dead, properties and houses destroyed .