MIINNA:The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this on Sunday during his visit to the Palace of the Emir of Suleja. The visit was to extend condolences and solidarity to the victims and families affected by the tragic tanker explosion that occurred on Saturday at Dikko Junction in the Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
As part of the government’s response, the minister announced that a delegation had been formed to assess the situation and provide support. The delegation planned to visit several hospitals in Suleja, where 55 injured individuals were receiving urgent medical care. Additionally, the team intended to visit the site of the explosion at Dikko Junction, which now stands as a stark and somber reminder of the dangers posed by fuel tankers on Nigerian roads.
The minister emphasized the urgent need to address the recurring hazards associated with the transportation of fuel across the country. To this end, he revealed that a committee would be established, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), tanker drivers’ associations, and other relevant stakeholders.
The committee’s primary focus will be to implement strategies aimed at mitigating such disasters in the future. Key among these efforts will be a robust nationwide enlightenment campaign led by the Ministry of Information. The campaign will educate the public and relevant stakeholders on the safe transportation of fuel, adherence to road safety measures, and the dangers of engaging in risky practices like scooping leaked fuel from accident scenes.
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Minister Idris underscored the government’s commitment to fostering safety on Nigeria’s roads and protecting lives and property. He called for collective action from all sectors, urging tanker drivers, fuel marketers, and the general public to cooperate in ensuring safer practices in the transportation of hazardous materials.
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