From John Adams, Minna
The Niger State government has directed that no vehicle, particularly tankers, trailers, and other articulated vehicles, should be allowed to follow one-way on any road in the state.
The governor frowned at the indiscriminate way in which vehicles are allowed to violate traffic rules by following one-way, thereby disrupting traffic and causing accidents.
State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago gave the directive on Saturday when he visited the scene of a tanker explosion around Dikko Junction, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, where 60 people were confirmed dead.
The former governor, who decried the recklessness of some drivers, said it is not acceptable for any vehicle coming from the Maje end of the road to follow one-way through the bridge, which was the case that resulted in the tanker accident.
He enjoined the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps to establish a detachment in the area to ensure the enforcement of the directive and called on all relevant transport unions to cooperate with the Road Safety Corps on the new directives.
He described the tanker explosion as pathetic but, however, thanked God that the tragic incident did not extend to the adjoining communities.
He called on the Federal Government to expedite action to complete the Minna-Suleja road, as the delay in the road project is contributing to the continuous loss of many lives.
The governor commended the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NISEMA), Fire Service, Road Safety, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), among other agencies, for their contributions to the evacuation of victims.
He said doctors from Minna hospitals will be redeployed to assist in treating the injured victims currently receiving treatment in Suleja General Hospital.