Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has called on the federal government to expedite the completion of the Suleja-Minna road, citing delays as a contributing factor to the continuous loss of lives. He made this appeal during his visit to the scene of a tragic tanker explosion at Dikko Junction in the Gurara Local Government Area.
Governor Bago directed that no vehicles should be allowed to take a one-way route on the Dikko bridge, emphasising that such traffic violations were major causes of accidents on the road. He instructed that vehicles coming from Maje should follow the underpass and take a U-turn appropriately.
During his visit on Saturday, the governor decried the recklessness of some drivers and called on the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander to establish a detachment in the area to enforce the new directive. He also urged relevant transport unions to cooperate with the FRSC.
The governor described the tanker explosion, which claimed over 77 lives according to the FRSC, as a pathetic and unacceptable tragedy. He expressed relief that the incident did not extend to adjoining communities and thanked the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Fire Service, Road Safety, and the Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), among others, for their efforts in evacuating and rescuing victims.
Governor Bago also mentioned that the state government had mobilised paramedics and emergency officials to assist in treating the injured victims currently receiving care at Suleja General Hospital.
Reports indicate that the explosion occurred around 9 AM on Saturday when a tanker loaded with PMS detached from its head, causing a significant discharge of petrol. An attempt to transfer its contents to another tanker resulted in the PMS coming into contact with a generator, triggering the explosion.
FRSC Niger State Sector Commandant, Mr. Kumar Tsukwam, reported that individuals who went to scoop fuel were engulfed by the flames, as well as those attempting to rescue them, resulting in the loss of over 77 lives.