Gov. Obiano Holds Mass Burial For Unclaimed Bodies Of Onitsha Fuel Tanker Victims

For the residents of Obosi, a suburb of the commercial city of
Onitsha, the mood was solemn as the Anambra State Government organised
a mass burial for 32 unidentified and unclaimed bodies of victims of
the tragic fuel tanker explosion that took place at Upper Iweka last
May.

The Ceremony which commenced with a 21 gun-salute in honor of the
casualties, proceeded with an inter-denominational service held at the
instance of the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, the Right Reverend Owen
Nwokolo.

After spells of touching Bible passages and a deep and solemn
exhortations that highlighted the fickleness of life and the need for
the living to reflect and ensure that they are in good standing with
their creator at all times, the victims were committed to the earth in
the Obosi Cemetry.

Speaking at the solemn ceremony, Governor Willie Obiano explained that
tissue specimen were taken from the unidentified bodies which were
burnt beyond recognition in the explosion and deposited at the Onitsha
General Hospital where it would be kept for a period of ten years for
future investigations while a cenotaph would be built on top of the
grave in the memory of the victims.

Describing the accident as a big tragedy, Governor Obiano recalled
that in swift response to the incident, his administration had taken
pragmatic measures to forestall a future occurrence some of which
included a ban on fuel-carrying tankers and trucks from plying state
roads as well as a restriction of Commercial motorcyclists from plying
the major highways in the State.

Noting that his government was working in collaboration with relevant
agencies to ensure safety on the state roads, the Governor urged the
motoring public to imbibe safety habits and always ensure that their
vehicles are in good shape before they hit the highways.

Delivering the sermon, the Right Reverend Nwokolo represented by the
Archdeacon in charge of Obosi Archdeaconry, Venerable Oswald Ezekwere
called on Christians to live everyday with the consciousness that
everything on earth is vanity, noting that only total faith and belief
in God as well as positive living can guarantee eternal life.

In his own remarks, the Chief Imam, Central Mosque, Bida Road,
Onitsha, Mr Abdulraman Hamza representing the Muslim Community in the
State, said Governor Obiano had by his decision to organize the
burial, exhibited genuine humaneness and goodwill as well as his
commitment towards addressing any bottlenecks that would hamper the
growth of the State.

Special prayers were said for the Governor, the State and the
families of the accident victims as well as for the repose of the
souls of the deceased.

Photo: Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Akabuike and
Chief Willie Obiano, Governor of Anambra State at a Funeral Service
organised for the mass burial of the unclaimed bodies of the victims
of the May 31st fuel tanker explosion in Upper Iweka, Onitsha at the
Obosi Cemetery