The Niger State Government has condemned in strong terms the attitude of Drivers of tankers, trucks and other articulated vehicles for blocking Bida-Lambata and Lambata-Izom expressways causing heavy gridlock and risks to innocent commuters and the people of the communities.
A statement issued by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane called on the Drivers of those articulated vehicles to hasten the opening of the roads as the blockade would not compell the State Government into allowing them to use the Minna-Bida road which is a State-owned road and under reconstruction.
Ahmed Matane further appealed to owners of the vehicles to talk to their Drivers to remove their trucks and tankers from the roads as the State Government can no longer guarantee their safety, because communities affected as a result of the blockade are overstretched and agitated.
The SSG warned that the State Government would not take liability for damaged vehicles or goods as a result of any unfortunate incidence that may arise. In the event of any tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) exploding and spilling the products within the communities, saying the tanker owners would be held responsible and affected communities will claim damages.
It would be recalled that the State Government had for more than three days engaged and dialogued with the articulated vehicle drivers and leadership of their unions to clear the roads and allow motorists to carry out their legitimate activities but such efforts have not yielded any positive results.
Meanwhile, the State Government regrets any inconveniences and untold hardship the blockade of the roads might have caused to innocent citizens and called for understanding and support of the general public in this trying moments
