The Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has expressed 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.
The unfortunate incident, which resulted in the loss of lives of over 50 people and left several others injured, has been described as a heartbreaking tragedy by the minister.
In a statement issued on Saturday, 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, 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 together – government, transport operators, and citizens – to ensure that safety remains paramount in all aspects of petroleum distribution,” he noted.
The 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.
