The Federal Government has commended the Niger State Government for it quick response to the tanker explosion disaster at the Dikko Junction
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in company of his Humanitarian Affairs Counterpart, Prof. Yilwatda Nentawe, on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, gave the commendation when he came on a sympathy and evaluation visit in Suleja.
The Minister was received at the General Hospital Suleja, where some injured victims of the tanker explosion are being treated by the 18-Man multidisciplinary medical Team set up by the Niger State government to provide free medical services.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is deeply saddened by the incident and extends his condolences to the Niger State Government, Emir and people of Suleja Emirate.
The Minister disclosed that the Federal Government will provide free medical services to all critically injured victims that will be moved to tertiary healthcare in Abuja.
He also announced that the President has directed that a high-power Committee should be set up to look into the incidences of tanker explosions in the country.
The Minister said the high-power committee, comprising the Minister of Information and National Orientation Agency, that of Humanitarian Affairs, representatives of NEMA, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association, IPMAN and other stakeholders is expected to find the remote and immediate courses of tanker explosions in the Country with a view to averting reoccurrence.
He said President Tinubu observed with dismay that about four incidents of explosion have occurred within the couple of months in the Country, and have claimed over 265 lives put together.
Idris said the committee is also expected to make recommendations to the Federal Government that will bring a lasting solution to tanker explosions.
He revealed that President Tinubu further directed the National Orientation Agency under his leadership to step up enlightenment campaigns to educate the people to avoid scooping content of a tanker for whatever reason, adding that doing so have led to loss of many lives and government will not allow it to continue.
The Minister then called on Traditional Institutions and other stakeholders to assist in the enlightenment campaigns,
The 18-Man multidisciplinary medical team, led by the Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr. Bello Tukur, Special Adviser on Health and his Counterpart on Special Duties Dr. Murtala Bagana, used the forum to present N50,000 cash donation as feeding money to each of the patients.
