Niger explosion: NUPENG calls for swift road repairs, public awareness

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has attributed the tragic petroleum truck accident at Dikko Junction, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, to the deplorable state of roads and the dangerous practice of fuel scooping at accident scenes.

NUPENG called on the Federal Government to prioritize the repair of bad roads and launch aggressive public sensitization campaigns to discourage the hazardous act of fuel scooping from fallen petroleum tankers.

In a condolence message on Sunday, NUPENG President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, expressed the union’s deep sorrow over the loss of lives, injuries sustained, and destruction of property caused by the incident.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones during this traumatic and challenging time,” Akporeha stated.

He appealed to the Federal Government, saying, “The union takes this opportunity to urgently call on the Federal Government to address the state of bad roads and to intensify efforts in educating the public about the life-threatening risks of scooping fuel from tanker accident scenes.”

Highlighting NUPENG’s commitment to safety, Akporeha emphasized, “As a responsible organisation, we collaborate annually with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Police, and State Traffic Management Agencies to train our drivers on road safety. The Union remains dedicated to continuously training and retraining our members on best driving and safety practices.”

The Union commended emergency responders for their courage in extinguishing the fire and rescuing injured victims. It also urged the authorities to provide adequate support and medical care to those affected and take decisive measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

“May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may their families find the strength to bear these irreparable losses.”

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