After the twin tanker fire explosions which occurred last weekend in Ibadan, Oyo state, and Akwanga, Nasarawa state, the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives expressed shock and sadness over the unfortunate incidents.
The Reps Minority Caucus made this disclosure in a statement jointly signed by leaders of the caucus: Rep. O.K Chinda
(Minority Leader) Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Isa J.C (Minority Whip) Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki (Deputy Minority Leader) Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi
(Deputy Minority Whip) on Monday stating that:
“Thankfully, no lives were lost at the two avoidable incidents. But it is painful that an unspecified number of vehicles, shops, motorcycles, and other properties worth hundreds of million naira were lost; particularly at the Ibadan incident.
“It is more worrisome that this is coming at a time that the economic hardship is approaching it’s zenith in Nigeria.
The Caucus recalls that after the January tanker fire explosion in Niger state, where lives of Nigerians and humongous properties were lost, it called on the Federal Government for necessary actions.
“Happily, the government resolved to ban fuel tankers with capacities exceeding 60,000 litres of petroleum motor spirit (popularly called petrol) from operating on Nigerian roads with effect from March 1, 2025.
“However, it is disheartening that, from reports across the country, many fuel tankers are yet to comply with the directive. More ludicrous is that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) responsible for enforcing the regulation is yet to comply with the presidential directive; about six weeks after the kick-off date.
Apparently disturbed about the frequency of tanker explosions across the country; almost becoming permanent fixtures on challenges bedeviling Nigeria, and the damaging effects on our people, the environment, and national development, the Caucus strongly calls for deliberate and decisive actions to stem the same by the bud.
” We call on the federal government for more pro-active measures that will not only avert future occurrences but stop tanker explosions in the country.
“From reports, the Ibadan incident happened as the driver encountered difficulties navigating deteriorated portions of the Toll Gate end of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
“Given the deplorable state of this road, and similar others, the Caucus urges the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to carry out immediate rehabilitation works on these roads.
“The Caucus shall initiate, collaborate, and pursue every legislative action that will secure the safety of our people, and properties; which is the main purpose of government.