Petroleum Minister, Gov. Yusuf of Kano, Sen. Husaini, Others Donate to Jigawa Tanker Explosion Victims’ Medicals

The Minister of State Petroleum, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri on Friday visited Jigawa state to condole the people and government of the state over the petrol  tanker explosion in Majia, Taura local government.

The Minister, who was accompanied by the the CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, (NMDPRA), Mr. Farouk Ahmed, and other officials of the ministry paid a courtesy call on the state governor, Umar Namadi at Government House.

The Minister who described the tanker explosion as disheartening and unfortunate, said the ministry would work with the relevant authorities because of the gravity of the situation.

He said the ministry was working in collaboration with the major stakeholders to ensure that such thing does not happen again in any part of the country.

The visit is coming just as donations have been pouring to the state government to fund the medical treatment of the persons, who are receiving treatment in various hospitals across four states of Yobe, Bauchi Kano and Jigawa.

Among the major donours were Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state and the Senator representing Jigawa Northwest Senatorial District, Babangida Husaini who have made donations of N100 million each to the survivors and victims’ families of Tuesday’s tanker explosionin Majia, Taura local government area.

Yusuf announced the donation during a condolence visit to Governor Umar Namadi at the Government House in Dutse.

Also at the Government House to give their personal donations were the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences, (ICPC) Dr. Musa Aliyu Adamu and the All Progressives Congress, (APC) leader in the state Farouk Adamu Aliyu who made donations of N 1 million each.

The  Kano governor emphasized the strong historical and cultural ties between Kano and Jigawa States, highlighting Kano’s solidarity with its neighbors during this difficult time.

“We are here on behalf of the Government and people of Kano State to extend our heartfelt condolence to bereaved families and those recovering from injuries and we’re praying from Almighty Allah to prevent future tragedies,” he said.

The governor, who expressed deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident, described it as “greatest tragedy that has befallen not only Jigawa state, but Nigeria in general.

“On behalf of the government and good people of Kano state, I’m here to commiserate with you over this unfortunate and tragic fire incident that cost the lives and properties of innocent citizens of your state in Majia town of Taura local government.

“This is quite unfortunate that the Jigawa government and indeed Nigeria lost over 100 lives of innocent citizens.

“We felt that Kano and Jigawa are brothers and sisters, therefore, on behalf of the government and good people the state, I wish to announce a token donation of N100 million so that the government can take care of victims at hospital, as well as the families of those that departed,” Yusuf said.

He prayed for Almighty Allah to grant those who lost their lives Jannatul Firdaus and quick recovery to those who survived the incident.

Responding, Namadi, expressed profound gratitude to Yusuf and the entire people of Kano State for the kind donation.

“ I don’t know how to thank you. This afternoon you called and sympathised with us, prayed for the departed and those in hospital. Yet that’s not enough as you decided to take the entire government of Kano to come and sympathise with us.

“On behalf of the government and good people of Jigawa, I want thank you in person and people of Kano state for this show of solidarity and brotherhood.

“Bringing the entire cabinet of the Kano to Jigawa was still not enough, yet you felt that its important to give us huge donation of N100 million. Thank you very much, may Allah reward you abundantly,

Namadi further informed his Kano counterpart that so far 172 persons were confirmed dead and 97 hospitalised after the incident at various hospitals in four states of Yobe, Bauchi, Kano and Jigawa.

Yusuf was accompanied by a high-powered delegation, including his deputy Aminu Abdulsalam some of his us commissioners, aides, and political asdociates, among others.

Hussaini appreciated president Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the co-ordinated approach and the governor, who was in Majia for the burial and was quite supportive for those who are receiving treatment at various hospital.

Sen. Hussaini later presented a cash donation of N100 million to the victims.

At the palace of the emir of Ringim, Abubakar Sayyadi Mahmud, the senator assured that proactive measures were being taken as Nigeria could not continue to move from one disaster to the other.