The Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has expressed deep sympathy to the government and people of Niger State following the explosion of a petrol-laden tanker at Dikko Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway on Saturday morning. The tragic incident resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries.
In a statement released on Saturday by his Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, the minister conveyed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the explosion.
“I am profoundly saddened by this tragic event, and my thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may God grant their families the strength to endure this irreparable loss,” Lokpobiri said.
The minister also offered his prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured victims. “To those who are hurt, I pray for their swift and complete recovery. This is a time for national solidarity with all those affected by this tragedy,” he added.
Lokpobiri stressed the importance of enhanced safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future, urging citizens to remain cautious in emergencies involving petrol tankers.
“While we continue to implement safety measures within the petroleum supply chain, I strongly urge the public to stay away from petrol-laden tankers in the event of an accident. I have said this before the risks are immense, and lives are far too precious to be lost unnecessarily.”
The minister announced that he had directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to investigate the incident.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of petroleum transportation nationwide and emphasized the need for ongoing collaboration among stakeholders to avoid similar tragedies.
“This incident serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility we all bear. Government, transport operators, and citizens must work together to prioritize safety in petroleum distribution,” he stated.
Lokpobiri assured the people of Niger State of the ministry’s support during this difficult time, reaffirming his commitment to ensuring safety and well-being in all petroleum operations.
