The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to continuously engage and sensitize the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association (PTD), the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and other relevant stakeholders on the need to adhere to established safety standards and strictly enforce regulations relating to movement of articulated vehicles especially against indiscriminate parking of tankers along major roads in Bida, Niger State.
The House also called on the Federal Ministry of Works, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to as a matter of urgency seek collaborative partnership with Niger State Government and interested private sector investors to provide well-structured parking facilities – Trailer Transit Parks (TTP) in major towns along the route from Jebba to Suleja particularly in Bida and Lambata to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow;
The House also called on the Federal Ministry of Works to prioritize and fast-track the ongoing reconstruction of the Bida–Agaie-Lapai–Lambata-Suleja road to ease vehicular movements, mitigate traffic congestion and reduce the need for tankers to park along major roads on the route.
It further called all on the Federal Government through the office of the National Security Adviser and the Federal Ministry of Works to prioritize the security and reconstruction of the Mokwa-Makera-Tegina-Birnin Gwari-Kaduna Road.
The House also urged security agencies to enhance patrol and monitoring of these high-risk areas to prevent security breaches and possible threats to the lives of Bida residents.
The resolutions were sequel to the adoption of an Urgent Need To Address The Incessant Parking Of Petroleum/Articulated Vehicles In Bida, Niger State To Avert Impending Dangers That Could Result To More Deaths”, sponsored by Mr. Saidu Musa Abdullahi.
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Leading the debate on the motion, Mr. Abdullahi said that the House notes that concerned residents and youth groups in Bida have written to the Speaker of the House of Representatives through his office their reservations over the indiscriminate parking of petroleum and articulated vehicles along major roads in the town which has resulted in severe safety and environmental risks;
“Further notes the recent tragic tanker explosion at Diko Junction in Niger State, which claimed numerous lives and destroyed properties, highlights the grave danger posed by improperly parked tankers and the urgent need for regulatory enforcement to prevent similar occurrences;
“Aware that associations, including Nupe Excel, Landzun Youth Development Association, Bida 70s, and Eid Youth Association Bida, have raised alarm over the dangers posed by these parked tankers, including increase in road accidents, environmental hazards from flammable substances, traffic congestion, and growing security concerns;
“Further aware that the Niger State Government in a bid to proffer lasting solution and mitigate the danger posed by these articulated vehicles has in spite of endless needs competing for its scarce resources embarked on the construction of a 44 km dual carriage ring road – Bypass with complimentary infrastructures including a Trailer Transit Park around Bida;
“Acknowledged that the abandonment of the Mokwa-Makera-Tegina-Birnin Gwari – Kaduna route due to activities of bandits, kidnappers and the deteriorating nature of the road which was once adjudged as the most economically viable road in West Africa has resulted to more traffic on the Bida-Agaie-Lapai-Lambata-Suleja route;
“Concerned that the slow pace of the reconstruction of the Bida-Suleja road in spite of an alternative funding source through the Road Infrastructure tax credit Scheme has contributed hugely to the indiscriminate parking of tankers along major roads on the route, thereby worsening traffic congestion and increasing the risk of accidents;
“Further concerned that due to this hazardous situation, a tragic incident recently occurred in Bida where a tanker crushed a nursing mother to death while her husband suffered the loss of his legs; emphasizing the need to act urgently and decisively;
“Worried that failure to act promptly can result in continuous threat to lives and properties given the volatile nature of petroleum products and the high volume of vehicular and pedestrian movement along the affected road;
“Further worried that the continued presence of these tankers without proper regulatory enforcement hampers economic activities and threatens public order in Bida;
The House resolved to mandate the House Committees on Works, the Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Federal Road Safety and Special Duties and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.
Emmanuel Ukoh
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