Tanker Explosion: House Minority Caucus Calls For Strigent Punitive, Safety Measures To Avert Reoccurrence
…Mourns Victims
Abuja (Core Reporters) The House of Representatives’ Minority Caucus, pained by the avoidable loss of lives im Niger State as a result of a tanker explosion which occured over the weekend has demanded for an investigation and legislative action to forestall future occurrences.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Minority Caucus leaders, Rep Kingsley Chinda, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Isa J. C Minority Whip,, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki Deputy Minority Leader ,Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi Deputy Minority Whip.
Irked by this ugly development, the Caucus noted: “that poverty is truly ravaging the people, these avoidable deaths should not be condoned.
“Therefore, we call for the investigation and punishment of all those found culpable just as we also call for a legislative solution to the incessant incidents of petrol tanker accidents in Nigeria.
In the statement it was further stated that: “Following the tragic and horrific death of about 90 people and injuries to many more that occured last weekend at Dikko Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna highway in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger state due to fire from a fuel tanker’s explosion, the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives commiserates with families of the victims, and prays for the quick recovery of those wounded. The Caucus also expresses its deepest condolences to the government and people of Niger State over the unfortunate incident.
“The Caucus is extremely sad and tearfully heartbroken that while some citizens paid the ultimate price, many others sustained varying degrees of injuries, including colossal loss of properties due to negligence as the tanker, which was laden with Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as Petrol, lost control and caught fire.
“This heart-rending incident is shocking, saddening, and painful.
“Conscious of the frequency of tanker explosions across the country, which has damaging psychological effects on our people, the environment, and the economy, the Caucus calls for appropriate punitive measures against violators of transportation safety regulations.
“In addition to that, we call on the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), and other relevant government agencies to intensify, and improve traffic management of tankers, trucks, and other haulage vehicles on the highway in other to avert or minimise the occurrences of these kinds of catastrophic mishaps to the barest minimum.
“As we all grieve over the sad incident, which is becoming worrisome and alarming across the country, the Caucus appeals for total and comprehensive collaboration among all medical institutions towards the speedy recovery of Nigerians who sustained injuries during this tanker explosion.
“Finally, while the Caucus notes that poverty is truly ravaging the people, these avoidable deaths should not be condoned. Therefore, we call for the investigation and punishment of all those found culpable just as we also call for a legislative solution to the incessant incidents of petrol tanker accidents in Nigeria.
