Governor Abubakar Sani Bello on Saturday commiserated with victims of the Tanker Explosion that occurred at Diko junction in Niger State, along Abuja-Kaduna Highway and left three persons dead, eight injured, nineteen cars destroyed and over 35 shops razed down.
The Governor described as unfortunate the incident, saying it was heartbreaking to see lives of innocent people lost as a result of the recklessness of an individual.
He decried the activities of Tanker and Trailer drivers who park illegally by the roadside, and warned that the state government would no longer condone such illegalities.
“It is quite unfortunate that the accident happened. As a government we are pained to see the lives of our people being cut short, especially as a result of recklessness of drivers,” Governor Abubakar Bello said.
“We will enforce all necessary laws with regards to illegal motor parks and other activities on the highways. I have therefore directed that the illegal park where the accident took place and other illegal motor parks and markets in the state be cleared off. We would ensure that our laws are enforced to the latter,” he further stated.
Meanwhile, Governor Abubakar Bello has directed the State Emergency Management Agency to take assessment of the accident with a view to ascertaining the level of damages done.
The Director-General of NSEMA, Mr Ibrahim Inga who led other officials of the agency to the scene of the accident said financial assistance would be provided to the victims who were alive to enable them undergo treatment, as an immediate intervention by the state government.
He said the agency would also compile its report and submit to the Governor for further action.
Also, at the scene of the accident was the Secretary to the State Government, Mallam Ahmed Matane and the Speaker of the State Assembly, Right Honourable Abdullahi Bawa Wuse.
On his part, the SSG who represented the Governor said the state government would work with all relevant agencies in the state to ensure compliance to laws regulating motor parks and business operation on highways.
He encouraged the survivors not to despair in their moment of trial, but to remain in faith, praying for speedy recovery for them.
The Speaker, Hon.Abdullahi Bawa Wuse on his part enjoined local government councils to also tighten all loose ends in their laws to ensure enforcement at all means.
According to him the challenge was not that there were no legislations to check the illegal activities of Tanker drivers and other motorists, but the lack of enforcement of the legislations by those charged with the responsibility of doing so had given room for such.
The tanker explosion occurred late hours of Friday and lasted until 4:00am on Saturday following intervention by the State Fire Service men in collaboration with the Federal Fire Service from the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
The Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Gabriel Amawo said the corps would work with other relevant agencies to ensure safe and immediate evacuation of the burnt vehicles and the tanker to avoid further explosion as fuel might still be in it.
