Senate President mourns victims of Lokoja fuel tanker explosion

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan has condoled with the families of victims of the Sept. 23, fuel tanker explosion on the federal highway in Lokoja.

The accident which occurred along the Felele Nataco axis of Abuja – Lokoja road involved five cars, one tanker, three tricycles and two motorcycles.

Some Kogi State Polytechnic students and Primary School pupils were burned to death in the mishap.

Reacting, Lawan, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Ola Awoniyi, on Thursday expressed grief over the gruesome accident in which more than a score of people, including school children, reportedly lost their lives and property destroyed.

“It is sad and totally unacceptable that such tragedy keeps recurring on our roads despite the ample road safety regulations and enforcement personnel.

“We mourn those who unfortunately lost their lives and pray for the speedy recovery of those who are injured.

“The incident underscores the need for constant review of our road safety strategy and mechanism with a view to making them more effective in preventing carnage on our roads.

“Significantly improving road safety in Nigeria is an urgent challenge for the relevant authorities and other stakeholders in our transport sector.

“We have to bring an end to the rampant carnage on our roads,’’ he said.

He also condoled with the government and people of Kogi over the tragic incident.