The Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil),Heineken Lokpobiri,has directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority to launch investigation into Saturday’s Niger fuel tanker accident which claimed 77 lives.
He conveyed this in a statement signed by hisSpecial Assistant,Media and Communication,Nneamaka Okafor.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of petroleum transportation across the country.
He advocated the need for a sustainable 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.
He 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.
He extended his 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.
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.”
