Umar Bago, Governor of Niger state has banned heavy-duty trucks from using the one-way route through Dikko Bridge.
Gatekeepers News reports that this followed the tanker explosion that killed about 86 people that occurred on Saturday.
The Governor announced the directive during his visit to the explosion site at Dikko Junction.
Bago expressed sadness over the loss of lives, describing the incident as pathetic, noting that he is relieved the explosion did not spread to nearby communities.
The Governor criticised the recklessness of some drivers and ordered that vehicles coming from the Maje axis must no longer ply the bridge but use the route beneath it and take a U-turn.
He further called on Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) sector commander to establish a detachment in the area to enforce the new directive and urged transport unions to cooperate with the FRSC to ensure compliance.
Bagi attributed the frequent accidents in the area to delays in the completion of Minna-Suleja road project and appealed to federal government to fast-track its completion.
The Governor commended the swift response of Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Fire Service, FRSC, and the National Union of Road Transport Workers in evacuating victims of the explosion.
He noted that doctors from Minna hospitals will be redeployed to assist in treating the injured victims currently receiving treatment at Suleja General Hospital.
