Works Minister Condoles With Victims’ Families and Niger State Government Over Death From Tanker Explosion

opeolumartinOctober 24, 202503 mins

Abuja, Nigeria — October 24, 2025

The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of victims, the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, and the people of Niger State over the tragic tanker explosion that occurred on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at Essa Village, along the Lambata–Lapai–Bida Road in Niger State.

In a statement issued by his media office, Senator Umahi described the incident as “deeply unfortunate and saddening,” noting that the loss of lives and property from the inferno was a painful reminder of the need for continued road safety measures and infrastructural improvement.

To address the situation promptly, the Minister announced the establishment of an emergency committee mandated to move immediately to Niger State. The committee is to work in collaboration with CGC Nigeria Limited, the contractor handling the project, to carry out palliative rehabilitation on the affected portion of the road.

This decision follows a meeting between the Minister and a delegation of National Assembly members from Niger State, as well as discussions with Governor Mohammed Umar Bago and the President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, on urgent interventions to restore the road and prevent future occurrences.
Senator Umahi further explained that while the project was initially funded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the corporation’s withdrawal from the nationwide road funding scheme had prompted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct a comprehensive review of all such inherited projects.

According to the Minister, the President has emphasized that no ongoing project should be halted as a result of NNPCL’s exit from the funding arrangement. The Federal Ministry of Works has completed the review of all affected projects and will soon present the findings to the President.

Umahi urged all contractors, particularly those with pending payment certificates, to return to their project sites as the Federal Government expects to begin disbursements by November 2025. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring the safety and quality of Nigeria’s road infrastructure while extending prayers for the repose of the souls lost in the tragic accident.