BY Janefrances Chibundu
The Imo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the recent road accident in the state could have been averted.
On Saturday, an estimated fifteen persons were killed and several others injured at the Imo State University (IMSU) junction.
The incident reportedly occurred when an Owerri bound trailer from Okigwe lost control following a brake failure.
In a statement signed by Lancelot Obiaku, the party’s spokesperson in the state, the PDP described the accident as “unfortunate”.
Lancelot said rescue efforts in the aftermath were also poor.
“The People’s Democratic Party in Imo state is saddened by the tragic auto crash at IMSU junction, Owerri, on Saturday night, that claimed several lives and left scores seriously wounded,” the statement reads.
“Imo PDP commiserates with families of the deceased and prays God gives them the fortitude to bear the painful loss of their loved ones whose precious lives were cut short in such a gruesome manner.
“The party also wishes those who sustained various degrees of injury and are hospitalized quick recovery.
“The truth is that the loss of these precious souls could have been avoided if the right things were done.
“And it is particularly disheartening that in the middle of the storm, all emergency sectors in the state fell flat.”
Lancelot said after the accident, it took the state government 14 hours to evacuate the affected vehicles from the road.
“At about 7:30 pm when the accident occurred, there was no emergency rescue operation from the state government,” he added.
“It took the efforts of individuals and sympathizers to take the victims to the hospital in their private cars.
“No ambulance nor any emergency response apparatuses were readily made available by the government to remedy the situation.
“The first two government-owned hospitals they visited did not function as there were no doctors and nurses to attend to the victims before the good Samaritans took them to the Federal Medical Center, Owerri, where some of the victims were confirmed dead.
“Throughout, there was no response from the ministry of transport, health, the ENTRACO, the police, Road Safety, et al.”
The party also called for a state of emergency on the health sector.
“Shockingly, it was discovered on Sunday that the Imo government and state police command do not have a towing van,” the statement added.
“The two towing vans that arrived to remove the truck from the scene were hired from private citizens. What a shame.
“Nothing can better demonstrate the morbid laziness, disregard for the citizens’ well-being, callousness and crass irresponsibility on the side of the Gov. Hope Uzodimma regime which continues to leave Imo people to their fate where they ordinarily should have been protected.
“We, therefore, call for a state of emergency on the health sector and the emergency departments in the State while urging the government of the day to be proactive for once to seek a lasting solution to the recurring accident cases at the IMSU junction.”
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