By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
The Governor of Niger state, Hon. Mohammed Umar Bago, has directed that no heavy duty vehicle coming from Maje axis should be allowed access through the abandoned Dikko junction flyover bridge linking the Kaduna-Abuja express way.
Governor Bago gave the directive when he visited the scene of tanker explosion that roasted alive about 80 people, including travellers and also destroyed properties worth several millions of Naira at Dikko junction, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger state.
The Governor, visibly angry by the loss of lives and properties, while several others sustained life threatening injuries decried the alleged recklessness of some drivers, particularly heavy duty vehicle drivers also directed that henceforth such vehicles coming from Maje can only pass through under the bridge.
"This disaster could have been averted if these heavy duty driver had exercised some level of caution. Henceforth, none of them should ply the overhead one-way, they should follow under the bridge and take a U-turn appropriately".
To avoid a repeat of such human and material losses, Governor Bago who directed the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Sector Commander to establish a detachment in the area and ensure immediate enforcement of the directives called on the relevant transport unions to cooperate with the Road Safety in enforcing road safety related laws.
Describing the tanker explosion that caused colossal damage to lives and properties, the Governor said, 'it is very pathetic', but also expressed gratitude to God that the damages did not extend to adjoining communities in the area.
Meanwhile, Governor Bago saddened by the level of avoidable destruction has called on the federal government to expedite action by completing the Minna-Suleja road as the delay is contributing to the constant loss of lives and properties along the ever busy route.
He also thanked the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Fire Service, FRSC, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) among other agencies for contributing to the evacuation of victims.
Doctors from hospitals in Minna, Governor Bago said will also be temporarily deployed to assist in treating injured victims currently receiving treatment at the Suleja General hospital. NNL
