Provide relief materials to Niger tanker explosion victims, Reps urge FG

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to mobilise relief materials urgently and medical supplies to assist victims of Tuesday’s tanker explosion in Niger State, which claimed over 30 lives and left scores of others injured.

This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved during plenary by the member representing Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency, Niger State, Hon Saidu Abdullahi.

Niger State, North Central Nigeria, has witnessed tragedy in recent times, as earlier on January 18, 2025, a petrol tanker conveying about 60,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit, fondly known as fuel, overturned at the Dikko junction near Suleja, killing over 100 people who gathered at the scene of the incident to scoop petrol.

Tuesday’s tragic incident was a replica of the January horror as residents reportedly gathered at Essa village, scooping petrol from a fuel-laden tanker. The explosion that resulted
Led to the death of about 35 persons, causing varying degrees of injuries to 40 others, as well as the destruction of properties worth millions of naira.

In an emotion-laden tone, Abdullahi told his colleagues that the recent tanker explosion at Essa village in Katcha Local Government Area occurred along a major federal highway linking Niger State to the Federal Capital Territory and other parts of the country.

According to him, the route serves as “A vital route for the transportation of petroleum products, agricultural commodities, and other goods.”

He added that the Essa village disaster “Is only one among several recurrent tanker explosions and fatal accidents that have occurred along this corridor in recent months, leading to the persistent loss of lives, livelihoods, and public confidence in the safety of the route.

The House is aware that the Bida – Agaie – Lapai – Lambata – Diko road has remained in deplorable condition for decades, despite successive administrations awarding multiple contracts for its rehabilitation, none of which have been fully executed or delivered.

“We are also aware that the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the road was at a point under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, a Public-Private Partnership model designed to leverage corporate tax obligations for critical infrastructure delivery.

We are concerned that despite the potential of the tax credit scheme to fast-track infrastructural development, the Federal Government recently announced a cancellation of NNPC intervention on roads, leaving several ongoing or proposed projects – including the Bida – Agaie – Lapai – Lambata – Diko Road – in uncertainty and execution limbo.”

The All Progressives Congress lawmaker lamented that the continued neglect of the highway has resulted in frequent gridlocks, destruction of goods, loss of productive hours, and severe hardship for commuters and residents, while turning the road into a death trap for motorists, tanker drivers, and traders.

In his words, “The Bida – Agaie – Lapai – Lambata – Diko corridor is not only crucial to Niger State but also to the nation’s economic network, connecting agricultural production zones to markets and the FCT, thereby demanding immediate federal attention and sustainable interventions.”

The motion was overwhelmingly adopted when put to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over Tuesday’s plenary session.

Consequently, the House urged the National Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials and medical support to the victims and families of the Essa Village tanker explosion.

The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing and the Federal Road Maintenance Agency to immediately mobilise resources and contractors to commence full rehabilitation, expansion, and completion of the highway.

It also mandated the Federal Road Safety Corps and other relevant agencies to “Intensify enforcement of safety standards for tanker and heavy-duty operations, ensuring compliance with roadworthiness, loading procedures, and emergency response protocols.”

Furthermore, the House mandated its Committees on Works, FERMA, FRSC, and Finance to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the road and the status of its previous contractual arrangements, and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.