The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has declared a payment of ₦1 million to each family of the deceased victims and ₦500,000 to each injured survivor of the recent tanker explosion in Essa, Katcha LGA.
Bago made the declaration on Thursday during a condolence visit to the afflicted community, where he assessed the situation and talked with local officials and citizens.
Bologi Ibrahim, the governor’s chief press secretary, issued the statement on Thursday night.
Chronicle NG reported that the tragic incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. on Tuesday, when fire ignited and overpowered residents scooping petrol from a fallen tanker along the Bida–Badegi–Agaie road.
The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Authority, Abdullahi Arah, reported that the fatality toll from the petrol tanker explosion has risen to 42.
Speaking on ARISE News, Arah blamed the terrible tragedy on the poor condition of the road and the high temperature in the area, all of which contributed to the fire’s initiation.
“As of the last count, the total number of dead stands at 42, and the number of injured persons is 52,” Arah said.
The governor expressed great grief over the situation and prayed for the rapid recovery of those being treated in hospitals in Bida and Abuja.
He scolded residents gathering fuel off crashed tankers, calling it dangerous and unlawful.
“We came to commiserate with them over the loss of lives and to also talk to their conscience.
“It is a terrible thing that a truck will fall and people of the community will carry containers to scoop fuel. It is theft and must be addressed as such, and we can’t encourage it,” he warned.
Bago went farther and “announced a donation of N1m to families of each of the deceased victims and N500,000 to each of the injured victims receiving treatment.”
While conceding that terrible road conditions contributed to the tragedy, he advised locals to act properly and help with rescue attempts during similar events rather than endangering their own lives.
The governor also disclosed that business magnate Aliko Dangote has agreed to restore the Mokwa-Lambata Road, with construction set to begin soon.
“The state government will build a new primary healthcare center in Essa Community to cater for their health needs,” the statement added.
