The House of Representatives has called for urgent federal intervention in the reoccurring tanker explosion on the Bida–Agaie–Lapai–Lambata–Diko road in Niger State
The House of Representatives has called for urgent federal intervention on the Bida–Agaie–Lapai–Lambata–Diko road in Niger State following a series of fatal tanker explosions and accidents that have claimed dozens of lives and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
The House urged the Federal Ministry of Works and the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to immediately mobilize contractors for the rehabilitation, expansion, and completion of the road, particularly between Bida and Agaie.
The House also directed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to intensify safety enforcement for tanker operations and ensure compliance with roadworthiness and emergency response standards.
In addition, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was mandated to provide relief materials and medical support to victims and families affected by the Essa Village explosion.
Furthermore, the House mandated its Committees on Works, FERMA, FRSC, and Finance to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the road and previous contractual arrangements and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.
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These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Rep. Saidu Musa Abdullahi (APC Niger), representing Bida/Gbako/Katcha Federal Constituency.
Moving the motion, Rep. Abdullahi expressed deep grief over the recent tanker explosion at Essa Village in Katcha Local Government Area, which he said claimed over 30 lives and injured more than 40 others, while destroying vehicles, livestock, and perishable goods worth millions of naira.
He said “The Essa Village disaster is only one among several recurrent tanker explosions and fatal accidents that have occurred along this corridor in recent months, leading to the persistent loss of lives, livelihoods, and public confidence in the safety of the route.
“The Bida – Agaie – Lapai – Lambata – Diko corridor is not only crucial to Niger State but also to the nation’s economic network, connecting agricultural production zones to markets and the FCT,” he added
Abdullahi expressed concern that continued neglect of this vital highway has resulted in frequent gridlocks, destruction of goods, loss of productive hours, and severe hardship for commuters and residents, while turning the road into a death trap for motorists, tanker drivers, and traders.
The lawmaker noted that the road has remained in deplorable condition for decades, despite several contracts being awarded for its rehabilitation by successive administrations, none of which has been fully executed.
He recalled that at one point, the project was incorporated under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, a Public-Private Partnership model intended to accelerate road development through corporate tax incentives, but said recent policy reversals had stalled progress.
He alarmed that despite the potential of the Tax Credit Scheme to fast-track infrastructural development, “The Federal Government recently announced on cancellation of NNPC intervention on roads; leaving several ongoing or proposed projects – including the Bida – Agaie – Lapai – Lambata – Diko Road – in uncertainty and execution limbo.”
