Niger State Government says it can no longer guarantee the safety of tanker drivers for continuous blockage of Lambata-Bida and.Bida-Minna roads.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Matane, stated this in a statement on Sunday.
The drivers had since Friday restricted vehicular movements following their stoppage by the state government to ply Minna-Bida Road due to ongoing reconstruction of the road.
The government’s decision came amidst threats by
the youths groups in the state that the drivers should vacate the roads within 48 hours or face severe consequences.
The statement said communities affected as a result of the blockage are overstretched and agitated.
He said government would not take liability of “damaged vehicles or goods as a result of any unfortunate incident that may arise.”
He said the taker owners will be held responsible and affected communities will claim damages in the event of any tanker carrying motor spirit exploding and spilling the products within the communities.
Matane said all efforts to engage the tanker drivers and their unions in dialogue to clear the roads and allow innocent motorists go about their normal business has proved abortive.
He called on the drivers to hasten the opening of the roads.
