The Minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, has expressed profound sympathy with the Government and people of Niger State following the tragic tanker explosion at Dikko Junction along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.
The devastating incident, which claimed numerous lives and left many injured, has been described by the Minister as a heartbreaking tragedy.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor, Sen. Lokpobiri extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost loved ones.
“I am deeply saddened by this tragic event, and my thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families. May the souls of the departed find eternal rest, and may God grant their families the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the statement read.
The Minister also conveyed his wishes for the swift recovery of the injured, emphasizing the need for solidarity during this challenging time.
“To the injured, I pray for their swift and complete healing. This is a time for us to stand together as a nation in solidarity with all those affected by this tragedy,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of public safety, Sen. Lokpobiri urged citizens to exercise caution in the vicinity of petrol-laden tankers, especially during emergencies.
“As much as we strive to implement safety measures across the petroleum supply chain, I must strongly appeal to the public to avoid approaching petrol-laden tankers in the event of an accident.
The risks are enormous, and lives are too precious to be lost unnecessarily,” he cautioned.
The Minister assured Nigerians that he had directed the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to commence a thorough investigation into the incident.
He also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of petroleum transportation nationwide.
“This tragedy reminds us of the importance of collective responsibility. We must all work together – government, transport operators, and citizens – to ensure that safety remains paramount in all aspects of petroleum distribution,” he said.
In conclusion, Sen. Lokpobiri assured the people of Niger State of the Ministry’s unwavering support during this difficult period.
He reiterated his commitment to promoting safety and well-being in all operations under his purview, stressing that no effort would be spared in preventing future occurrences of such tragedies.