Fire consumes driver, motor boy at Ibadan petrol station

Two persons have been confirmed dead in a fire incident that occurred early Tuesday at the Orita Challenge outlet of GABSTAB Petrol Station in Ibadan. In a statement released by the General Manager, of Oyo State Fire Services Agency, Mr Yemi Akinyinka, a petrol tanker driver and his motor boy lost their lives in the incident. Akinyinka said the fire service immediately deployed its men to the scene after receiving information about the fire at 5:15 am. We got information about the GABSTAB Mega Petrol Station, Orita Challenge, fire incident at 5:15 am and deployed our men immediately. ALSO READ: Gov Zulum grants 2-year tax waiver to traders in Borno hit by floods, market fire The driver and motor boy were burnt to death, he added. The general manager, however, said the fire had been controlled, and more details about the incident would later be provided. Recently, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has approved a two-year tax waiver for traders affected by the September 2024 flood disaster and the Maiduguri Monday Market fire incident. The initiative is aimed at facilitating economic recovery and easing financial burdens on struggling businesses. Announcing the waiver in Maiduguri on Sunday, the Chairman of the Borno State Internal Revenue Service (BO-IRS), Prof Ibrahim Bello, said the decision aligns with the state government’s tax reforms to enhance the ease of doing business. This waiver is part of our broader tax administration reforms aimed at fostering economic growth. Governor Zulum is committed to ensuring businesses affected by recent disasters receive much-needed relief to rebuild and thrive, Bello stated. The September floods and the market fire wreaked havoc on businesses, with thousands of traders suffering significant losses. EXPLORE: Tinubu mourns 17 pupils killed in tragic fire incident at Zamfara Islamic school More than 300,000 people displaced by the floods have been relocated to 30 sites across Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, Jere, and Konduga local government areas, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Governor Zulum’s tax relief initiative is expected to help traders reinvest in their businesses without the burden of tax obligations, offering them a crucial pathway to economic stability. The government is committed to modernising our tax system while ensuring revenue is channelled into vital infrastructure projects, Bello added. He highlighted ongoing projects, including road construction and urban renewal in Jiddari, Umarari, GRA, Bulumkutu, Custom, and Chad Basin. By alleviating financial pressures on struggling businesses, the waiver is expected to boost local trade and attract investors, fostering a more resilient economic environment. Experts believe this move will also enhance voluntary tax compliance in the future, creating a more sustainable revenue system for the state. The initiative underscores the government’s commitment to economic revitalisation and disaster recovery, ensuring affected businesses regain stability and contribute to Borno’s long-term development. RECOMMENDED: Husband, wife burnt to death in Kano midnight fire incident