WorldStage Newsonline– The Federal Government, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Southern Governors have expressed sorrow over the victims of the tragic tanker explosion at Dikko Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in Niger State.
In a statement issued by its Chairman, NGF, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, the forum described the explosion, which claimed over 50 lives and left many others injured, as a heartbreaking tragedy.
AbdulRazaq stated that the incident had cast a shadow of grief over the entire nation.
He called for the urgent enforcement of safety measures, particularly concerning the transportation and handling of combustible materials across Nigeria.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Niger State, as well as to the families who have suffered unimaginable loss in this tragedy.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those injured, and we wish them a swift and complete recovery,” AbdulRazaq said.
He added that the NGF was united in calling for stricter enforcement of safety measures across the country, particularly regarding the transportation and handling of hazardous materials.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to enhance our regulatory frameworks to prevent such occurrences in the future,” he emphasised.
AbdulRazaq also commended the swift response of emergency services, first responders, and security agencies in managing the aftermath of the disaster.
He urged all citizens to remain vigilant and prioritise safety at all times.
Finally, he prayed for the souls of the departed to rest in peace and for their families to find the strength to endure this time of profound grief.
MINISTER OF PETROLEUM RESOURCES
Similarly, the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri expressed profound sympathy with the government and people of Niger State following the tragic explosion of a petrol-ladened tanker at Dikko Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway on Saturday.
The unfortunate incident, which resulted in the loss of lives and left several others injured, has been described as a heartbreaking tragedy.
In a statement, Lokpobiri, extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the explosion.
“I am deeply saddened by this tragic event, and my thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. May the souls of the departed find eternal rest, and may God grant their families the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.
The Minister also prayed for the speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries in the accident. “To the injured, I pray for their swift and complete healing. This is a time for us to stand together as a nation in solidarity with all those affected by this tragedy,” he added.
While emphasizing the need for enhanced safety measures to minimize the occurrence of such incidents, Sen. Lokpobiri urged citizens to exercise caution during emergencies involving petrol-ladened tankers. He stated, “As much as we strive to implement safety measures across the petroleum supply chain, I must strongly appeal to the public to avoid approaching petrol-ladened tankers in the event of an accident. I have appealed this severally, the risks are enormous, and lives are too precious to be lost unnecessarily.”
While noting that he has directed NMDPRA to commence investigation on the incident, the Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of petroleum transportation across the country, calling for sustained collaboration among relevant stakeholders to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“This tragedy reminds us of the importance of collective responsibility. We must all work togethe – government, transport operators, and citizens – to ensure that safety remains paramount in all aspects of petroleum distribution,” he noted.
The Honourable Minister assured the people of Niger State of the Ministry’s support during this difficult period, reiterating his unwavering commitment to promoting safety and well-being in all operations under his purview.
SOUTHERN GOVERNORS
Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described the tanker fire explosion that claimed 77 lives and injured 25 others along Dikko-Maje road in Suleja, Niger State, as a devastating tragedy.
In a statement issued in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Sunday, Abiodun, who said that the governments and the people of the southern states were deeply troubled by the tragedy, commiserated with Governor Mohammed Umar Bago and his cabinet, as well as the people of Niger State, urging them not to allow their spirits to be dampened by the extremely tragic event.
He prayed for the repose of the souls of the victims of the fire while expressing hope that the injured will have speedy recovery and be back on their feet in the shortest possible time.
He said: “To say that we in the Southern Governors’ Forum are terribly shocked by this devastating tragedy in which as many as 77 people lost their lives and no less than 25 others were grievously injured would be an understatement.
“This is a soul-crushing event that has befallen Niger State, and we pray that Almighty Allah will comfort the families that lost their loved ones in the incident.
“We also hope that the security agencies will up their ante and enforce the directives given by His Excellency, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, to ensure strict enforcement of traffic rules in the state, especially given that this was an entirely avoidable tragedy.
“It is also important to warn Nigerians to desist from the practice of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, as most of the victims of this tragedy were people who ran to the scene of the accident to scoop fuel.”
While calling on state and federal agencies to redouble their efforts in managing the fallouts of the tragedy, Abiodun urged the Federal Government to liaise with the Niger State Government and render any assistance that the state may require at this time.
