Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State has banned heavy-duty trucks from plying one-way through Dikko Bridge.
The order by the governor on Saturday followed an explosion from a tanker bearing petrol that claimed over 77 lives in the state on the same day.
Bago gave the directive during a visit to the scene of the explosion at Dikko Junction in Suleja Local Government Area of the state.
He described the incident as pathetic while expressing sadness over the loss of lives.
He, however, expressed relief that it did not extend to adjoining communities in the area.
Bago decried the recklessness of some drivers, just as he directed that vehicles coming from the Maje axis should not pass through Dikko Bridge.
He said that the vehicles should instead follow the route under the bridge and take a U-turn.
The governor called on the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps to establish a detachment in the area to enforce the directive.
He also urged transport unions to cooperate with the FRSC.
Bago attributed the frequent accidents in the area to the delay in completing the Minna-Suleja Road project and called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the project.
He commended the Niger State Emergency Management Agency, Fire Service, FRSC, and National Union of Road Transport Workers for their roles in evacuating the victims of the explosion.
He noted that doctors from Minna hospitals would be redeployed to assist in treating the injured victims currently receiving treatment at Suleja General Hospital.
