Reps Seek Relief For Victims Of Niger Fuel Tanker Explosion

The House of Representatives has called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as well as the Ministry of Humanitarian and Social Development to provide relief to the victims of a fuel tanker explosion in Niger state, which led to the loss of countless lives.

It also called for the constitution of an ad hoc committee to investigate the remote causes of such incidents and proffer suggestions and for the Nigeria Police and the Federal Road Safety Corps to ensure the sensitisation of tanker drivers to avert future occurrences.

Tanker Explosions: A Call For Action

This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Adamu Tanko from Niger state at plenary on Thursday when he said the accident had caused untold grief to the victims as it was a result of a mixture of overspeeding of the driver and the nature of the curve of the junction.

Similarly, the House called for the federal government’s urgent intervention to stem the tide of incessant gas explosions in the country.

This was a sequel to adopting a motion brought under matters of urgent national importance sponsored by Hon. Aderemi Oseni at plenary.

Moving the motion, Oseni stated that there is a great need for government intervention to prevent the needless loss of lives and properties from gas explosions, whose occurrence is on the rise.

He said substandard and expired gas cylinders have contributed immensely to the causes of these disasters, adding that the number of casualties as a result of these explosions is indeed worrisome and something urgent needs to be done.

Adopting the motion, the House called on the Standard Organisation of Nigeria and the Nigerian Customs to ensure that only standard cylinders, trucks, and kits are imported into Nigeria.

It further called on the National Orientation Agency to better educate Nigerians on identifying substandard cylinders and kits.