BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
Officials of the Federal Ministry of Works have extended their heartfelt condolences to the people of Essan Community following the tragic tanker explosion that claimed several lives and caused extensive damage in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State.
The Director of Highways, North Central, Engr Salihu Kolapo Ahmed led a delegation to the community head, Dekechi of Essan, Alhaji Muhammad Dauda Muhammad on behalf of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi.
Delivering the minister's message, he commiserated with the bereaved families and the entire community, describing the incident as a painful and avoidable tragedy.
He assured that the Federal Government remains committed to improving the condition of the road network in the country to prevent similar accidents in the future.
"The Federal Ministry of Works mourns with you at this difficult time. We pray for the peaceful repose of the departed souls and strength for the families they left behind.
“This sad event underscores the urgent need to accelerate the ongoing reconstruction of the Lambata-Lapai-Agaie-Bida Road in Niger state. We are fully committed to ensuring safer and more reliable road infrastructure to avert future occurrences of such tragedies," Umahi added.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s resolve to prioritise the reconstruction of the road as part of ongoing efforts to enhance road safety, ease transportation challenges, and support economic development in the state and Nigeria generally.
“The minister has directed that immediate assessments be carried out on the affected section with a view to implementing lasting engineering solutions that will improve safety and mobility,” Engr. Ahmed added.
He described the pace of work on the affected alignment as too slow and unacceptable, directing the contractor, Messrs CGC (Nig.) Ltd. to quickly deploy more resources and approach the work from more locations.
“The contractor needs to mobilise more equipment to the site and let us have free movement of vehicles. Failure to do so, in the next few days, will attract decisive action,” he said.
The visit underscored the ministry’s human-centered approach under the leadership of Engr. Umahi, who remains focused on building durable road infrastructure and responding promptly to the needs of Nigerians affected by road-related tragedies.
Following the message, prayers were offered for the repose of the departed souls and divine comfort for the grieving families.
The Dekechi of Essan, Alhaji Muhammad expressed appreciation to the minister for his compassion and prompt response.
He lamented the poor condition of the road linking the area, describing it as a death trap that has continued to endanger the lives of road users.
“We thank the minister for standing with us in our moment of grief. The bad state of the road has made movement extremely difficult and dangerous. We appeal to the Federal Government to give urgent attention to this route so that lives can be saved,” the community head said.
He called on the management of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to end the overburdening of articulated vehicles with human beings, revealing that most of those who lost their lives in the inferno were travelers not indigenes.
The Project Manager, Mr. Fan Bo assured that the company would mobilise more equipment within days to intensify work and ease the movement of people, goods, and services on the critically failed portions of the road.
Deputy Director of Construction at the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Development, Niger State, Engr. Nasir Ahmed disclosed that the minister’s directive was aimed at ensuring free vehicular movement and reducing frequent accidents along the busy corridor.
“This is a follow-up to the Niger state governor’s efforts. The minister wants serious action so that there will be no more gridlocks or accidents on this road,” he added.
He urged motorists, especially truck drivers, to remain patient and cooperate with the contractors during the construction period.
“Their impatience causes a lot of the nuisances we see. They should be patient and follow instructions so that work can progress smoothly,” he advised.
The 124.8-kilometre project, awarded several years ago, was phased into two sections by the current administration, with Phase 1 covering 92 kilometres from Lambata to Agaei, valued at N39 billion, remaining 10 kilometres to completion. The Phase 2, which covers the most critical section from Agaei to Bida will soon be awarded.
This was contained in a statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed A. Ahmed on Sunday in Abuja.
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