By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA- AS Jigawa State and rest of the nation mourn the death of 168 people killed and those who survived the petrol tanker explosion, the Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, Friday, called on the Federal Government to urgently address poor road infrastructures and others across the country.

The call was contained in a statement signed by the National Coordinator, CNG, Comrade Jamilu Charanchi, while they expressed deep pain over the horrible incident, and prayed to God to comfort their families.

Charanchi said: “In this time of immense grief, our hearts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and we ask Almighty Allah to grant them strength and comfort during these trying times.

“We also pray for the quick and complete healing of those who are injured, asking Allah (SWT) to grant them swift recovery and relieve their suffering.

“The CNG stands in solidarity with the people of Jigawa State and urges the federal and state governments, as well as relevant authorities, to take immediate steps to prevent such tragedies in the future.

“We call for urgent action to address the root causes of such accidents, particularly the poor state of infrastructure, and the enforcement of strict safety regulations in the transportation of hazardous materials such as petroleum products.

“We also appeal to the government to prioritize policies that alleviate the suffering of the people, focusing on improved road safety, healthcare systems, and rapid response capabilities during emergencies.

“It is imperative that every Nigerian, regardless of their location, feels secure and assured that their lives are valued and protected by the state.

“As a nation, we must come together to ensure that tragedies like this become a thing of the past. We continue to pray to Almighty Allah to shield our communities from future disasters.

“The CNG reminds governments at all levels particularly the Federal Government to review their policies that are making life extremely difficult for the people so that tragedies such as this could not continue to occur as many victims reportedly saw the spilling fuel as a means of getting respite to their difficult situation.”