Wike to cover medical bills of Abuja accident victims

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), has offered to pay the medical bills of victims of the explosion in Karu, Abuja.

On Wednesday, a compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered truck laden with cement exploded after it rammed into other vehicles in traffic due to a brake failure.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said six persons died and 25 others were injured in the accident.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Lere Olayinka, the senior special assistant on public communications and social media to the FCT minister, Wike described the accident as avoidable and expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

He sympathised with those injured and directed continuation of their treatments.

Wike said  he immediately directed Adedolapo Fasawe, the FCT mandate secretary on health and environment, to ensure prompt treatment of the injured when the news of the accident broke.

“On my directive, the Mandate Secretary on Health and Environment, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe was in Asokoro District Hospital, till today’s morning and she was among the medical personnel who attended to the 17 casualties brought to the hospital,” the reads.

“She briefed me that after initial stabilization, seven of the 17 casualties received were referred to National Hospital, six with minor injuries were treated successfully, three with severe burns and inhalation and crush injuries are currently receiving treatment.

“However, one of the casualties with third degree burns passed away while being resuscitated.”

The minister called on road users, especially heavy duty vehicle drivers to always be cautious and adhere strictly to speed limits while driving.

He said it was painful that precious lives were lost and vehicles were destroyed in an accident that could have been avoided.

He called on the FRSC and other agencies saddled with the responsibility of ensuring safe usage of the roads to intensify efforts aimed at maintaining strict compliance with traffic rules.