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PTD Leadership Commiserates With Niger State Govt, Families Of Victims Over Tanker Explosion
By People’s Voice Nigeria | News
The Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of NUPENG has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion that occurred at Dikko Junction in Niger State, claiming several lives and many others injured as a result of deplorable roads infrastructure and strange attitudes of some citizens who were scooping the spilled product.
PTD in a statement jointly signed by its National leadership, Comrade Lucky Osesua, Comrade Dayyabu Garga, Comrade (Chief) Monday Moudebelu (ONWA) and Comrade (Dr) Humble Obinna Power, on Monday, January 20, 2025 said an accident of such magnitude have collateral consequences, affecting not only the victims and their families but the tanker drivers too and also the entire nation.
The statement also commended President Bola Tinubu for mandating the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to launch a nationwide educational campaign for awareness about the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers and the environmental risks associated with such actions.
Continuing with its heartfelt sympathies to the government and people of Niger State, especially the families of those affected by the unfortunate incident, PTD said:
“The tragic incident at Dikko Junction is heartbreaking and has left families and the nation in anguish, as a responsible and right-thinking organization we stand in solidarity with all those directly or indirectly affected and share in their grief. We also commend Governor Mohammed Umar Bago and other relevant emergency agencies for their quick and decisive actions, which brought some relief amid the tragedy. We also commend the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for their swift response in contributing to the efforts that helped in minimizing the collateral damage of the accident.
“We also pray for the repose of the lives of the deceased and a quick recovery for those injured who are still receiving treatments at both private and public hospitals. PTD is also using this occasion to humbly appeal to all relevant authorities and stakeholders in the transportation and petroleum industries to reinforce stricter safety measures in the transportation of highly inflammable materials, to avoid similar tragedies in the future and further call on the Ministry of Works to intensify its efforts in fixing all bad portions of the Federal roads to ensure safety of road users and as well protect the assets and investments of taxpayers whose livelihoods and income are dependent on road transportation.
“PTD also found it necessary to extend our special appreciation to President Bola Tinubu (GCFR) for mandating the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to launch a nationwide educational campaign for awareness about the dangers of scooping fuel from fallen tankers and the environmental risks associated with such actions. This is really commendable of our President and we urge every Nigerian not to endanger their precious lives by scooping fuel from petrol tankers involved in accidents.
”It was also thoughtful of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for expressing his condolences to the government and people of Niger State following the devastating incident, that is the way leaders with conscience respond to such unfortunate events.
“However, we must also note here that as worthy and caring Union leaders we often feel depressed and worried at the high records of many of our hard working drivers who have lost their limbs and other valuable human parts to accidents as a result of bad roads, and in some instances when being flagged down while on speed by overzealous law enforcement agents making our drivers lose control and skid off the road.
”We as well want the Federal government to look into this situation by educating our law enforcement agents not to compromise safety protocols that can adversely affect tanker drivers on wheels. On our part we would continue to maintain maximum safety standards for all our petroleum tankers loading at the depots with timely and relevant training, procedures and drills for our drivers.
“Once again, as a socially responsible Union we are reiterating our commitment to working with governors of each state in Nigeria including FCT, to advocate for meaningful and necessary policies and programmes in the interest of the citizenry, while also appealing to them to give attention to critical infrastructure like roads and prioritizing safety, support victims, and prevent future occurrences of a ugly incident like this”, the statement concluded.
