Lokpobiri Calls For Stricter Safety Measures In Transporting Petroleum Products
By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has emphasized the need for enhanced safety measures in the transportation of petroleum products across the country.
This follows the recent petrol tanker explosion in Majiya Town, Taura Local Government Area of Jigawa State, resulting in the death of over 150 persons and injuring dozens.
Senator Lokpobiri who visited the site of the explosion alongside the management of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), expressed deep condolences to the government and people of Jigawa State.
The Special Adviser on Media and Communication to the Minister,
Nneamaka Okafor, in a statement on Friday disclosed that the Minister’s visit commenced at the Government House in Dutse, where he met with the Governor of Jigawa State, His Excellency, Malam Umar Namadi.
She stated that during the meeting, Senator Lokpobiri conveyed the Federal Government’s sympathy to the state over the unfortunate incident that claimed many lives.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, I extend our deepest condolences to the Government and good people of Jigawa State. This tragic incident is a reminder of the importance of ensuring that only licensed and certified drivers convey petroleum products. We are working closely with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to strengthen these standards,” the Minister stated.
He further disclosed that he had recently engaged with the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Mr. Shehu Mohammed, to forge a partnership aimed at enforcing strict regulations regarding the certification of tanker drivers.
“This collaboration between NMDPRA and FRSC will be pivotal in preventing similar accidents in the future,” Senator Lokpobiri added.
Governor Malam Umar Namadi, while receiving the Minister, thanked the Federal Government for its support and expressed his deep concern over the frequent occurrence of tanker-related accidents in the state.
“We are truly pained by this loss, and it is our hope that through stronger regulations and partnerships, we can prevent these tragedies from recurring,” the Governor said.
At the incident site in Majiya Town, Senator Lokpobiri appealed to Nigerians to cooperate with the government in avoiding scenes of accidents.
“We urge citizens to resist the temptation of getting close to such incidents. It is crucial for public safety. The Federal Government is committed to ensuring that such occurrences are minimized, and our efforts, including the NMDPRA-FRSC partnership, will ensure safer roads for Nigerians,” the Minister assured.
The Honourable Minister reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening regulations and safety standards in the transportation of petroleum products, assuring the people of Jigawa State of continued support during this difficult time.
