The Senate has urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Federal Ministry of Health to urgently assist victims and families undergoing medical attention in different hospitals following a petrol tanker explosion in Benue.
Sen. Emmanuel Orker-Jev (PDP Benue North/ West), who moved the motion on Thursday in plenary urged his colleagues to take steps that would end incessant petrol tanker explosion in the country.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an explosion of a Petroleum Tanker in Ahumbe in Gwer East Local Government of Benue had occurred on July 1, killing several people.
Oker-Jev, in his motion narrated how driver of the tanker had lost control after trying to dodge a pothole at a dilapidated portion of a Federal high way along Markurdi -Aliade Otukpo, leading to the incident.
He said the villagers defied the warning from security personnel and were scooping fuel from the fallen tanker when a passenger bus maneuvering its way scratched its exhaust pipe which sparked the fire.
According to him, the fire killed 50 people while over 100 others sustained various degrees of injury.
He said that many of the people injured were in critical conditions at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.
According to him, valuable properties including houses, shops were also destroyed.
The senator also called for a review of the road worthiness in the country.
After extensive debate on the motion, the Senate resolved to set up a standing committee that will liase with relevant agencies to identify remote and immediate causes of petroleum tanker explosion in Nigeria.
The Senate also resolved that the committee when constituted, would have eight weeks to recommend appropriate and sustainable solutions to the Senate.
It also commiserated with the people and Government of Benue over the ugly incident.
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