The Jigawa Government has begun the distribution of 840 million Naira donation to the victims of the tragic fuel tanker explosion that occurred in Majia town in Taura Local Government Area of the state.
9News Nigeria reports that the incident, which occurred in October 2024, last year claimed several lives and left others injured.
Speaking at the cash distribution to the victims, held in Majia town, Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa, said the N840 million would be distributed among 210 families of victims and survivors of the incident.
Namadi expressed sorrow that the disaster claimed the lives of over 140 individuals, mostly young men under the age of 30.
“We pray that their souls continue to rest in peace with our Lord. May their final abode be Aljannatul Firdous. “May Allah grant their families the fortitude to continue to bear the irreparable loss of their loved ones,” he said.
He explained that each of the beneficiaries would receive N4 million from the N840 million.
According to him, 500,000 Naira will be disbursed in cash while N3.5 million will be deposited into individual accounts opened for the victims in Jaiz Bank.
The governor disclosed that the disaster affected 210 people and 167 households.
“All together, 210 persons were identified as being directly affected.
“And highlights of the demographic profiles of those affected showed that the terrible event had an impact on 167 households, killing 140 people and hurting 70 more.
“It was established that 33 of the deceased persons were married out of which 31 of them had children, all left behind as orphans.
“In all, the deceased individuals have left behind a total of 40 widows and 130 orphans out of which 70 are males and 33 are females.” he said.
Namadi assured the people of the state government’s determination to prevent similar tragedies.
“As we would all recall, the inferno that resulted from the tanker explosion was so devastating that over 100 persons were burnt to death on the spot, all buried together in a mass grave.
“May Allah protect us from ever witnessing such a tragedy, whether in Jigawa or anywhere else,” Namadi prayed.
He said the committee set up the state government on the incident had made several far-reaching recommendations on mitigating the chances of future occurrence of such calamitous incidents.
“On our part as a government, we will continue to institute measures in line with the recommendations.
“This will include having a permanent contingency plan for emergency preparedness and response aimed at cushioning the gravity of disasters when they inevitably occur,” he said.
The governor disclosed that as at March 26, total redeemed cash donations amounted to N839,686,680, and promised maintainance of transparency in the distribution process,
According to him, government will, in due course, publish a comprehensive list of all the redeemed pledges made by individuals and groups.
Namadi advised the beneficiaries to utilise the funds wisely, particularly by investing in productive ventures.
He assured them of continued government’s engagement with the affected communities and families to provide support, particularly to the widows and orphans.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr Auwalu Sankara, said a total of N58.2 million was earlier distributed to the victims when the incident occurred.
Sankara said that 126 others had been screened to receive the the first phase of the donation, assuring that the exercise would be transparent.
Also, the Chairman of Taura Local Government Area, Mallam Shuaibu Hambali, commended the sponsorship of the medical bills of all the surviving victims.
He noted that two of the survivours were still receiving medical.
In his remarks, the District Head of Majia, Alhaji Mahmud Sayyadi, hailed the state government for assisting the victims and those who donated to support them.
The beneficiaries commanded the government for the gesture and pledged to make judicious use of the funds.
