By Emmanuella Oghenetega
The Minister of Works, Engr. Nweze David Umahi, has expressed his sympathy over the report on the tanker explosion at Essa Village, along Lambata- Lapai – Bida road, in Niger State.
He conveyed also, his deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, the Governor of Niger State, Mohammed Umar Bago, and the people of Niger State over the unfortunate tanker infernor which occurred on Tuesday.
In furtherance of the outcome of his meeting with the delegation of the National Assembly members from Niger State, and his discussion with the Governor of Niger State and the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on the immediate intervention to the affected road, the Minister has set up emergency committee to immediately move to Niger State, working with the contractor handling the project, CGC Nigeria Limited, to ensure that palliative rehabilitation is carried out on the affected road.
He noted that the project was initially NNPC funded, but in view of the NNPCL’s withdrawal from the funding scheme nationwide, President Tinubu has directed that all the inherited ongoing projects hitherto funded by NNPC be reviewed and presented to him, and that no such projects should be stopped for the reason of the exit of NNPCL from the funding scheme.
The Federal Ministry of Works has reviewed all such projects, and according to the Minister, the projects will by next week be presented to the President.
The Minister of Works used the medium to call on all contractors on the project, especially those who have generated certificates for payment to go back to the site while they expect payment from November 2025.
