- The Anambra State Government has noted with profound sadness the accident which occurred around 4pm on Wednesday, March 13, on Upper Iweka Road, Onitsha, involving some vehicles, including a petrol tanker laden with about 33,000 litres of kerosene. It killed at least seven persons and maimed 14 persons.
- The State government commiserates with the victims and their families.
- Governor Willie Obiano has directed that the surviving victims be given the best medical attention available. The Anambra State Government will bear the cost entirely.
- Gov Obiano has also set up a panel to investigate the cause or causes of the accident and advise the state government on measures to take to avoid a similar occurrence.
- The panel will be headed by the Honorable Commissioner for Transport. The Members are the Commissioner for Health, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commandant of the Anambra State Traffic Management Agency, the state Commandant of the Federal Road Safety Corps and a representative of the Nigeria Police Force. The members will submit their report within one week.
- The fatal accident which occurred on Wednesday, March 13, is the second major road accident on Upper Iweka Road, Onitsha, in four years. In June, 2015, the driver of a tanker carrying premium motor spirit, popularly known as petrol, lost control of his vehicle and rammed it into the Asba Motor Park, killing 69 persons, mostly street traders and hawkers as well as travellers.
- The number of casualties in the March 13 accident would perhaps have been as high as that of four years ago but for the state government policy prohibiting street trading and hawking in busy places in the state like Upper Iweka Road in Onitsha.
Signed
C. Don Adinuba
Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment
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