Abuja, Nigeria – The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) expresses its deepest condolences to the people of the Republic of Guinea, particularly the families who have lost their loved ones in the devastating Kaloum fuel depot explosion that occurred on Monday, 18 December 2023. We stand in solidarity with the affected families during this challenging time and offer our support and sympathies.
The incident, which led to the loss of lives and dozens of injuries, has left the entire nation in a state of shock and grief. In solidarity with the people and government of Guinea, WACSOF hereby extends its sympathies to all those affected by the sad incident.
We commend the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Guinea and all its relevant agencies for their efforts in containing the fire as well as putting in place emergency public safety measures to prevent further damage.
We additionally call on the government of the Republic of Guinea to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the explosion in order to ascertain the factors that contributed to this unfortunate incident and take appropriate measures to prevent any future reoccurrence of such a tragedy. The government should also ensure that strict safety measures are implemented within all industries, particularly in relation to the handling and storage of hazardous materials such as hydrocarbon fuels.
We additionally call on the regional bodies particularly the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and its member States to, as a matter of urgency, prioritize public safety by evolving a coherent set of regional standards to regulate public safety issues in West Africa.
WACSOF is ready to offer its support to the government of the Republic of Guinea in its efforts to implement strategies and protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future. We believe that the collective efforts of both the government and civil society organizations can lead to a safer and more secure environment for all citizens.
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Kop’ep Dabugat
General Secretary
West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF)
Tel: +234(0)8036523475
Email: kopep.dabugat@wacsofoscao.org
Website: www.wacsofoscao.org
Note to Editors:
The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) is a regional platform that mobilizes civil society participation in the efforts of ECOWAS to promote regional integration and development in West Africa. WACSOF serves as a voice for civil society organizations, advocating for inclusivity, accountability, and sustainable development in the region.
