Nigerians have reacted to the Federal Fire Service, FFS, who said that the act of distributing fuel as sourvenir at a party is highly condemnable.
The FFS on Twitter said, “how on earth will someone use an inflammable liquid like petrol as souvenir?, thereby endangering the lives of those at that event. This act is highly condemnable.”
According to Ahmad Salisu, “are you talking about safety? Where were you when fuel station and gas station were build within a residence area without proper fire alarms, extinguisher, sand and even blanket?”
Adenrele Babatunde noted that, “it is not within their jurisdiction that fuel station or gas station are built around residential areas. The problem is from state govts granting approval of such. Then greed of owners of such buildings because of money they sold houses that’s been erected for years to highest bidder.”
However, Ejiofor Onyishi, asserted that, “the person has forgotten to consider the danger involved in his actions because of fuel scarcity within that period in a country that have crude oil but can’t fix any of their refineries bc of corruption, leadership failure is the problem of Nigeria, get your PVC enough is enough.”
Kamsy Okoye, opined that “this is as a result of the laxity in your system. Not coming on Twitter ranting. Your impact is rarely felt when it comes to safety concerns. Fix your system and empower your staff.”
Mbonu Patrick, on his part, stated: “What is the difference between keeping fuel at home and serving it as souvenir. Until the right things are done, this question will still come up in 20 years from today.”
Recall that the host of the Lagos party where fuel was distributed as souvenir, Pearl Chidinma Ogbolu, had explained that she only wanted to show appreciation to guests who turned up for her chieftaincy installation ceremony, despite the hard times caused by fuel scarcity.
Taking to her Instagram account on Saturday where she shared a statement, she also apologized for her action which she described as ‘momentary indiscretion.
Ogbolu wrote: “I want to use this medium to apologize for the momentary indiscretion of bringing fuel souvernirs into the hall.
“My intent was just to show appreciation to my guests for turning up at my event at these hard times.
“I have paused to reflect and truly apologize and I thank you all for your understanding and criticisms.”
The state government, in a reaction on Saturday, through the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the development will be investigated.
He pointed out that having jerrycans of petrol as souvenirs is a dangerous development which contradicts safety standards and is capable of causing harm to lives and property.
Omotoso added that the safety of the people of Lagos remains a top priority to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.