FROM SAMSON ALFA, MINNA
Due to the deteriorating condition of Lambata-Lapai-Bida road, more than 30 vehicles were involved in accidents in October, while about 30 people were killed and 40 injured in a fresh tanker explosion at Essan and Baddegi communities in Niger State yesterday .
AljazirahNigeria reports that Lambata- Lapai-Agaie-Bida road had become a death trap for over ten years for motorists. Those mostly affected are articulated vehicles that are usually on long queues due to constant accidents along the road.
Eyewitness said the accident occurred around 11am yesterday at Essan and Badeggi communities in Katcha Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the victims were scooping petroleum product when it exploded, thereby burning the victims, some beyond recognition, while the injured were moved to the hospital for treatment.
The Niger State Chairman of Tanker Drivers and Ex-Officio of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, Comrade Farouk Kawo confirmed the incident in Minna.
He said the tanker was coming from Lagos with petroleum product.
Comrade Kawo lamented that over 30 trailers were involved in accidents in October in that particular spot due to bad road.
He revealed that youths in the community have continued to scoop fuel from tankers, adding that even last Sunday at the same spot, a tanker carrying groundnut oil was involved in an accident.
The chairman, however, appealed to the Niger State government under the leadership of Governor Umar Bago to urgently come to their aid, by grading the particular area to ease movement and reduce loss of lives and properties.
