The Jigawa State Government has distributed cash donations to the victims of the Majia tanker explosion, which occurred in October last year and claimed scores of lives and injuries.
Governor Umar Namadi while flagging the cash donations in Majia Town said, the money was meant to help the families of the people who died and the people who were badly hurt.
Namadi expressed sorrow over the disaster, which claimed the lives of over 140 individuals, mostly young men under the age of 30.
“We pray that their souls continue to rest in peace with our Lord. May their final abode be Aljannatul Firdous. May Allah grant their families the fortitude to continue to bear the irreparable loss of their loved ones.”
The governor described the tragedy’s scope, stating that it directly impacted 210 people and 167 households.
“All together, 210 persons were identified as being directly affected” Highlights of the demographic profiles of those affected showed that the terrible event had an impact on 167 households, killing 140 people and hurting 70 more. It was established that thirty-three of the deceased persons were married, of which thirty-one of them have children, all left behind as orphans. In all, the deceased individuals have left behind a total of forty-two widows and one hundred and thirty-three orphans, of which seventy are males and sixty-three are females.”
Describing the devastation as “a calamity of an unimaginable proportion,” Governor Namadi reassured the people of Jigawa that the government is taking proactive steps to prevent similar tragedies.
“As we would all recall, the inferno that resulted from the tanker explosion was so devastating that over 100 persons were burnt to death on the spot, all buried together in a mass grave. May Allah protect us from ever witnessing such a tragedy, whether in Jigawa State or anywhere else.”
He reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing the recommendations of the investigative committee set up to assess the causes of the explosion and propose preventive measures.
“The committee established by the government to investigate and report on the remote and immediate causes of the inferno, damage caused, and extent of casualties has made several far-reaching recommendations on mitigating the chances of future occurrence of such calamitous incidents.
“On our part as a government, we will continue to institute measures in line with the recommendations, including having a permanent contingency plan for emergency preparedness and response aimed at cushioning the gravity of disasters when they inevitably occur.”
Regarding financial support, the Governor disclosed that as of 26th March 2025, total redeemed cash donations amounted to N839,686,680, while each affected individual is expected to receive roughly N4 million, with N500,000 disbursed in cash and N3.5 million deposited into individual accounts opened for the victims in Jaiz Bank.
“For those that are deceased, payment would be made to their guardians, either as parents or next of kin” Survivors would, whenever feasible, receive theirs in person.
In-kind donations previously received, comprising assorted relief materials mostly in the form of perishable foodstuffs and other essential commodities, have already been distributed to those affected,” Governor Namadi stated.
He further stressed the need to maintain transparency in the distribution process, saying that the government would, in due course, publish a comprehensive list of all the redeemed pledges made by individuals and groups.
While highlighting key lessons from the Majia tragedy, the governor urged the public and transport sector stakeholders to adopt stricter safety measures.
Details of the engagement was contained in a press statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Hamisu Gumel.
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