Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka
Anambra State Government, yesterday, said it would bear the cost of medical treatment of the survivors of the petrol tanker accident at Upper Iweka Road, Onitsha, on Wednesday, which claimed lives and left many injured.
It has also set an investigative panel to find the cause or causes of the accident, and advise the state government on measures to take to avoid a recurrence.
Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba said: “The Anambra State Government has noted, with profound sadness, the accident which occurred at 4:00p.m, on Wednesday, at Upper Iweka Road, Onitsha, involving some vehicles, including a petrol tanker laden with about 33,000 litres of kerosene which killed seven persons and maimed 14 persons.
“Governor Willie Obiano has directed that the surviving victims be given the best medical attention available. The state government will bear the cost entirely.
“Governor 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.”
Adinuba further said the panel would be headed by the Commissioner for Transport, with 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 as members. The panel, he said, is expected to submit their report within one week.
The commissioner noted that “the fatal accident,which occurred on Wednesday, 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, lost control of his vehicle and rammed into the Asaba Motor Park, killing 69 persons, mostly street traders and hawkers as well as travellers.”