From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Senator representing Abia North, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has commiserated with Governor Alex Otti and the families of victims of the Aba Water Side accident which occurred on Tuesday.
Kalu, in a statement by his media office, described the accident as unfortunate and a big loss to the state.
“I am deeply saddened over the Water Side accident which occurred on Tuesday. More saddening is the fact that the lives of those in search of livelihood were cut short.
“As a former governor of the state, my heart is with the families of the affected persons and the entire state during this period, and I pray to God to grant us the fortitude to bear the loss,” he said.
Meanwhile, Governor Otti has visited the accident victims with a promise to carry out thorough investigation to ascertain the immediate and remote causes of the accident.
The governor, who visited the victims in several hospitals in Aba, where they were receiving treatment, thanked God that those affected were doing well and expressed the hope that they would be discharged soon.
“What happened is quite unfortunate, necessary investigations will be carried out and we want to find out both the cause of the accident,” he said.
The governor, represented by his Chief of Staff, Caleb Ajagba, said measures would be put in place to forestall future occurrence, including restricting the movement of heavy duty trucks to only at nights.
“The measures are to stop heavy duty vehicles from plying in the day time but at night.”
In all, 11 of such victims were visited in about five hospitals in the commercial city.