The Niger State Government held a mass burial for the victims of the tanker explosion that killed 39 persons and injured 60 others at the Essan community in the state’s Katcha Local Government Area.
This comes as the state government said that it has contributed N10 million in medical supplies to several hospitals treating the injured victims.
Bologi Ibrahim, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger State, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday.
According to him, a government delegation led by Dr. Murtala Bagana, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, had also arrived at the scene to examine the situation.
He said, “The state government explained that out of the about 50 injured persons, some are receiving medical attention for burns, others for inhalation-related injuries at various health facilities such as the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, and General Hospitals Bida, as well as Agaie, while those severely injured are in the National Hospital Abuja, Gwagwalada Specialist, and FMC Jabi.
“The state government has also provided drugs and medical supplies worth over N10m to support hospitals treating the victims and presented cash donations to the affected families receiving care in the hospitals.”
Ibrahim went on to say that a mass funeral and prayer service were held for the deceased victims.
While commending all stakeholders who expressed worry about the event, the administration advocated for the immediate renovation of federal administration highways in the state.
“A mass burial for the deceased victims was conducted in Katcha with a special prayer for the repose of their souls and quick recovery for the injured.
“The state government confirmed that normalcy has returned to the affected community and reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and well-being of all residents while emphasizing the need to desist from scooping the content of any fallen tanker.
“It further enjoined the Federal Government to expedite action in fixing all federal roads in the state to avoid recurrence, as the poor state of the Jebba-Mokwa-Bida-Agaie-Lapai-Lambata road contributed to the tragic incident,” Ibrahim stated.
Chronicle NG reported that the tanker had fallen in a lone accident along the expressway.
It was gathered that residents trooped to the scene to scoop fuel that had spilled on the road, during which the tanker became engulfed in flames, leaving at least 39 dead.
