Senator Dafinone urges FG to repair failed federal roads after tanker explosion

Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, has called on the Federal Government to take immediate action in fixing the failed sections of the federal roads in the country, especially the Warri-Benin Road, which has been in a deplorable state for a long time.

The lawmaker made this call in a statement on Tuesday, following the tragic tanker explosion that occurred at Ugbenu, along the Sapele-Benin Road in the Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, on Sunday, October 1, 2023.

Dafinone expressed his deep condolences to the victims and their families and urged the public to remain vigilant and adhere to safety precautions, particularly when encountering accidents or incidents involving hazardous materials. He also advised against the temptation of scooping fuel from fallen tankers, as this could lead to more disasters.

He said, “The Ugbenu fire incident is a devastating tragedy that has claimed the lives of five individuals and caused significant damage to properties. This is very unfortunate. My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones and to all those affected by this unfortunate event. We must come together as a community to provide support and assistance to those who have suffered such immense loss.”

He further lamented the poor state of the Warri-Benin Road, which he said was the cause of the tanker accident, as the driver lost control of the vehicle due to the bad road condition. He said the road had been neglected by the Federal Government for too long, despite its importance as the only access road connecting the Niger Delta region to other parts of the country.