Imo Offsets Medical Bills Of Fatal Njaba Vehicle  Accident Victims

By Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha

The Imo State Government has undertaken to offset the medical bills of the survivors of the fatal road accident which happened at the Njaba bridge in Njaba Local Government Area.

The accident which occurred  on Tuesday, 5th November, 2024, involved four vehicles.

The decision was sequel to a Motion On Adjournment moved during Plenary on Wednesday  by the Member Representing Njaba State Constituency at the Imo State House Of Assembly, Hon Benneth Ozioma Worship Ebonine,

Moving the Motion on Adjournment, Hon Ebonine informed the Assembly of the ghastly accident where four vehicles were involved – ●A Haulage truck of a construction company.

• Tipper truck carrying sand from a sand excavation site known as Three-Man Beach.
• A Commuter Bus carrying passengers ●A Toyota Saloon Car.

It was gathered that the accident happened when the tipper truck carrying sand from the sand excavation site driving  against traffic known in local palance as “one-way” collided with the haulage truck conveying asphalt to a road construction site.

The Tipper driver, according to eye witnesses was reckless by driving “one-way”, and as a result, 12 persons died on the  spot while over 10 persons were seriously injured.

A minute’s silence was observed for the repose of the souls of the dead.

Thereafter, with hearts filled with compassion and love, the Deputy Speaker, Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu led a delegation made up of Hon Chigozie Nwaneri (Chief Whip and Member Representing Oru-East State Constituency), Hon Barrister Ikenna Ihezuo (Member Representing Orlu State Constituency),  Hon Barrister Emeka Ozurumba (Member Representing Isu State Constituency and Hon Benneth Ozioma Worship Ebonine (Member Representing Njaba State Constituency) and paid a visit to the Hospitals to sympathize with the surviving accident victims and to wish them speedy recovery.

Others were:  Hon Chief Paul Duru (Executive Chairman of Nwangele local government area), Hon Vitalis Obi (Executive Chairman of Njaba local government area), Hon Ken Ukah (Executive Chairman of Isu local government area).

The delegation first visited SANTA MARIA HOSPITAL  located in Umuaka Njaba Local Government Area where some of the victims are receiving treatment. Speaking, Rt Honourable Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu prayed for the quick recovery of the victims and condoled the bereaved families, while  urging the hospital management to ensure proper and adequate medication was administered to the victims, for their speedy recovery.

The Medical Director of the facility was not around when the delegation visited, but a staff of the hospital who spoke said that the timely evacuation of the victims from the scene of the accident, by good spirited persons, helped to save lives of those receiving treatment.

Thereafter, a huge sum of money was handed over to the relatives of the hospitalized victims by the Deputy Speaker, to offset bills that would be incurred, and an assurance to further assist when called upon.

Thanking the delegation for showing compassion, love, support and kindness to the recuperating victims and sympathizing with bereaved families, a brother to one of the victims, Mr Chikodi Solomon (from Abakiliki), who was obviously moved to tears, described the kind gesture as godly, compassionate and practical demonstration of the caring government of His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma.

The delegation visited the accident scene where the remnants of the collided vehicles were seen by the roadsides. The Deputy Speaker and other Honourable Members further called upon road safety officials and security agencies to fashion out ways to ensure the safety of commuters and motorists, especially, as christmas season draws closer.

Finally, the delegation visited ST MARY’S HOSPITAL located in Umuowa Orlu local government area, where other critically injured persons were taken.

At the hospital, the Assistant Chief Security Officer, Mr Bright Obi, who received the delegation, confirmed that four critically injured persons were brought in on Tuesday. However, he said that two persons died the following day, one person was transferred to another  hospital at Mgbirichi, while the remaining one was discharged after treatment.

The Medical Director, Dr Onukogu Obi, who later drove in, explained some challenges being faced by the hospital and called on the State Government to assist in addressing them.

The delegation used the occasion of the visit to ST MARY’S HOSPITAL to sympathize with other patients at the hospital, with huge financial support made available to offset their bills.