The Petroleum Products Retails Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has blamed the high death toll witnessed in the tragic tanker explosion that occurred on Tuesday, October 22, 2024 in Jigawa State on ignorance and poverty, just as it commiserated with families of the victims.

National Publicity Secretary of PETROAN, Obele Joseph, who came out with this on Wednesday, October 23, 2024 in Abuja, stated that the high death toll is as a result of hunger in the land and ignorance.

He further stated that, according to the World Bank latest report on the country’s inflation index which indicates high levels of poverty and its resultant cause is the increase in fuel prices and subsequential rise in transportation and production costs.

“Following the hardship in the nation, citizens are now searching for food at all cost. It will be correct to say, some of the victims might actually be aware of the dangers of scooping fuel, but they have no choice than to take the risk”

“The national body PETROAN calls on the National Orientation Agency to embrace door-to-door, awareness campaign on dangers of scooping fuel.”

He also called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to establish firefighting trucks on strategic highways across Nigeria.

“People who blame victim are right. People Who blamed hunger in the land are also right. We pray that the almighty God will show Mercy to the souls of the departed.”

“PETROAN is pained and we used this medium to extend our condolences on behalf of the people of Jigawa.”

Obele also mentioned that the National President of PETROAN, Billy Gillis-Harry, has sent a direct condolence letter to the Governor of Jigawa State.

He also advised that citizens should stay away from fallen petroleum trucks in the future.