By RITA ILIYA

Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger has banned heavy-duty trucks from plying one way through Dikko bridge, following a tanker explosion that claimed many lives on Saturday.

The governor gave the directive during a visit to the scene of the explosion at Dikko junction in Suleja local government area of the state.

He described the incident as pathetic while expressing sadness over the loss of lives.

He, however, expressed relief that it did not extend to adjoining communities in the area.

Bago decried the recklessness of some drivers just as he directed that vehicles coming from the Maje axis should not pass through Dikko Bridge.

He said that the vehicles should, instead, follow the route under the bridge and take a U-turn.

The governor called on the sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to establish a detachment in the area to enforce the directive.

He also urged transport unions to cooperate with the FRSC.

Bago attributed the frequent accidents in the area to the delay in completing the Minna-Suleja road project and called on the federal government to expedite action on the project.

He commended the state Emergency Management Agency, Fire Service, FRSC and the National Union of Road Transport Workers for their roles in evacuating victims of the explosion.

He noted that doctors from Minna hospitals would be redeployed to assist in treating the injured victims currently receiving treatment at Suleja General Hospital.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more than 50 people lost their lives in the Saturday morning incident caused by scooping of fuel from the articulated vehicle. (NAN)

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