Tunde Bakare
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic road accident that claimed the lives of 19 persons.
Among the victims are five children, and left eight others injured along the Lokoja-Obajana road in Lokoja Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Monday.
Ododo described the incident as a devastating loss, not only to the families of the victims but to the entire state, given the scale of the tragedy.
The Governor lamented that the accident, which involved a Toyota Hummer Bus and an articulated vehicle, resulted from over speeding and wrongful overtaking, and called for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and discipline by road users.
“Losing 19 lives, including innocent children, in one accident is a tragedy for which words cannot fully express our grief. Our hearts are heavy and thoughts and prayers are with the families affected, and we must take urgent steps to prevent such sorrowful occurrences. Every life matters, and no journey is worth the risk of over speeding,” Ododo said.
While commending the efforts of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Police in responding swiftly to the accident and rescuing the survivors, the Governor extends his sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured who are currently receiving treatment in hospitals in the state.
He further called for sustained public education campaign on road safety and the dangers of excessive speed, as well as enhanced coordination among emergency response agencies.
Ododo also directed the Ministry of Information and Communications to collaborate with the FRSC to upscale enlightenment campaigns that will improve road safety in all parts of the state.