The Niger state government has condemned in strong terms the attitude of drivers of articulated vehicles for blocking the Bida-Lambata and Lambata-Izom expressways causing heavy gridlock and risks to innocent commuters and the people of the communities.
A statement issued by Ahmed Matane, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), in Minna, on Sunday, called on the drivers of the vehicles to hasten the opening of the roads as the blockade would not compel the state government into allowing them to use the Minna-Bida road, which is a state-owned road undergoing reconstruction.
He appealed to owners of the vehicles to direct their drivers to remove their trucks and tankers from the roads.
The statement added that the state government would no longer guarantee their safety, because communities affected as a result of the blockade are overstretched and agitated.
Matane warned that the state government would not take liability for damaged vehicles or goods as a result of any unfortunate incident that may arise.
“In the event of any tanker carrying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) exploding and spilling the products within the communities, the tanker owners would be held responsible and affected communities will claim damages,” he said.
He said the state government regrets any inconvenience and untold hardship the blockade of the roads might have caused innocent citizens and called for understanding and support of the general public in the trying moments.
The Niger government had in September 2020 closed down the Minna-Bida road against articulated vehicles to allow for speedy reconstruction of the road.
