Calabar Tragedy: Saraki, Senator Oko Condole Victims’ families, CR Govt
Senate President, Bukola Saraki has described as tragic and shocking the electrocution of some football fans at a viewing centre in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
He has therefore offer condolences to the immediate families of the victims, the government and people of Cross River State as well as football fans nationwide over the unfortunate incident.
A statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, urged local and state government authorities to ensure football viewing centers and other public spaces are made safe and conducive across the country.
The Senate President however charged the Cross River government to ensure recommendations of its Commission of Inquiry empanelled to probe the incident is not only made public but implemented to avoid a future occurrence.
According to Saraki, “This is clearly an unfortunate and avoidable loss of precious young Nigerians. As a government, we have a duty to ensure that our citizens are safe and protected, whether during leisure hour or work period. We must ensure that what is necessary to make our people secured, in both public and private spaces, is given the deserved priority at all times.”
The Senate President lauded the Cross River State government and other relevant emergency agencies’ prompt response to the distressing incidence, just as he prayed for the repose of the departed souls and quick recovery for the injured.
In her message, the Senator, representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Dr Rose Oko sympathized with the State government and families of the victims over the incident.
She described it as ‘tragic and harrowing’ to the victims’ families, in particular and the State in general and prayed for courage to enable the families go ‘through this tragedy.’
Senator Oko, who thanked God for the survivors and wished the injured quick recovery, commended the State Government for its Commission of inquiry and called for a holistically appraisal of the problem posed by building houses along high tension cables to forestall a recurrence.
