The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to urgently mobilize resources and contractors for the completion of the Bida–Agaie–Lapai–Lambata Road to prevent further tanker explosions and fatal accidents along the route.
The resolution followed a motion by Saidu Abdullahi, member representing Bida, Gbako, and Katcha Federal Constituency of Niger State.
Abdullahi expressed deep concern over the recent tanker explosion at Essa Village in Katcha Local Government Area, which claimed over 30 lives and left more than 40 others injured.
He said the road’s deplorable condition has caused frequent loss of lives, destruction of goods, and severe hardship for commuters and residents.
“The Essa Village disaster is just one among several recurrent tanker explosions and fatal accidents along this corridor,” Abdullahi said.
“These tragedies have eroded public confidence in the safety of the route.”
The lawmaker noted that despite multiple contracts awarded for the road’s rehabilitation over the years, none has been fully completed.
He recalled that the project was once included under the Road Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, a Public-Private Partnership designed to leverage corporate tax obligations for critical infrastructure delivery.
Abdullahi expressed concern that the Federal Government’s recent suspension of NNPC’s intervention on road projects has thrown ongoing and proposed works — including the Bida–Agaie–Lapai–Lambata–Diko corridor — into uncertainty.
Adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committees on Works, FERMA, FRSC, and Finance to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the road and review past contractual arrangements.
The committees are to report back within two weeks for further legislative action.
Reporting by Tanimu Salihu