• President Edgar Lungu signs a book of condolences at the Ghanaian High Commission in Lusaka yesterday. Looking on is Ghanaian High Commissioner to Zambia Elizabeth Afua Benneh. Picture by EDDIE MWANALEZA/STATEHOUSE

By SYLVESTER MWALE –

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has expressed sadness at the death of more than 200 people in an explosion at a petrol station in Ghana.
President Lungu, however, noted that Zambia could draw lessons from the disaster in Accra by avoiding having highly inflammable substances in densely populated areas.
He said when he signed in the book of condolences at the Ghanaian embassy in Lusaka yesterday, that Zambians joined the West African country in mourning the fire victims.
President John Dramani Mahama declared three days of national mourning which ended yesterday after more than 200 people were killed in the inferno at a filling station.
Many of the victims had sought shelter at the petrol station from torrential rain which had flooded the capital city.
“Your Excellency, accept our condolences on tragic loss of so many of our beloved brothers and sisters in that tragic accident.
“Zambians are mourning with you and may God strengthen you and the entire nation during this difficult time,” Mr Lungu wrote in the book of condolences at the embassy.
He later told journalists that many Zambians were saddened by the accident because the people of Zambia and Ghana were one.
President Lungu, however, noted that the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) had failed to control the mushrooming wholesale and retail shops for fuel and cooking oil in undesignated areas despite being inflammable.
“ERB are just looking and when that thing explodes it will be a disaster. We just pray that the good Lord will take care of the situation and we send our condolences to our brother President Mahama and the people of Ghana,” he said.
Ghanaian High Commissioner to Zambia, Afua Benneh paid tribute to President Lungu for finding time to mourn with the people of Ghana by visiting the embassy to send his condolences.
Ms Benneh said President Lungu’s message signified the strong relationship between Zambia and Ghana.