FG prioritizes medical care, transfers tanker explosion survivors to tertiary medical facilities
The federal government has directed the transfer of survivors from the recent tanker explosion in Niger State to tertiary medical facilities for enhanced treatment.
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, announced the decision on Sunday during a visit to the explosion site in Suleja. Idris was accompanied by Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and heads of various federal agencies.
During his visit, Idris explained that survivors currently receiving care at the Suleja General Hospital would benefit from more advanced medical attention at specialized facilities.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is deeply saddened by this tragic incident,” Idris stated. “He instructed us to assess the situation firsthand. Unfortunately, as we visited the wards, one critically injured victim passed away, bringing the death toll to eight. This highlights the urgent need for advanced medical care, which the federal government is prioritizing. The Minister of Health and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) will facilitate the immediate transfer of survivors to tertiary institutions equipped for intensive care.”
Idris commended the Niger State government for its prompt emergency response and expressed deep concern over the alarming frequency of tanker explosions in Nigeria.
Grim Statistics Prompt Federal Action
The minister highlighted that over 265 lives have been lost to tanker explosions in just five months, describing the trend as a national emergency.
“In September 2024, a tanker explosion between Ibadan and Ife caused widespread destruction. Shortly after, another explosion in Agaie, Niger State, claimed 48 lives,” Idris recounted. “In October 2024, Jigawa State witnessed a similar tragedy, with 144 fatalities. Now, this latest incident in Suleja has claimed nearly 80 lives. The total death toll from these incidents exceeds 265.”
Idris revealed that the federal government has established a high-powered committee to investigate the root causes of these incidents and prevent future occurrences. The committee includes representatives from key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Information, NEMA, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), and industry associations like NARTO, NUPENG, and IPMAN.
Public Awareness Campaigns to Prevent Future Tragedies
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) will also intensify public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on the dangers of scooping petroleum products following tanker accidents.
“Such risky behaviour often leads to devastating consequences,” Idris emphasized. “The government is committed to ensuring that these tragic incidents become a thing of the past.”
As investigations continue, the federal government has pledged to provide necessary support to victims and their families, reaffirming its commitment to addressing safety concerns and preventing future disasters.
