By Our Reporter
The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri on Saturday directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to investigate the petrol tanker accident at Dikko Junction on Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in Nigeria State, even as 70 bodies have been recovered
The call for investigation was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor issued from Abuja.
Lokpobiri however reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to ensuring the safety of petroleum products transportation nationwide.
He sought a sustained partnership among the relevant stakeholders for the avoidance of another occurrence.
The statement reads: “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.”
“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 emphasising 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.”
“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.