From Gyang Bere, Jos
Plateau State Governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Caleb Mutfwang and the leadership of the party have present succour to ameliorates the condition of party supporters who were involved in a truck accident while returning from the Plateau Central Zonal campaign rally, held in Pankshin Local Government Area of the state.
He appreciated God that all the survivors of the ghastly accident who were receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) and other hospitals in the state have been discharged and are recuperating fast at home.
Mutfwang who presented restorative and supportive services to the victims yesterday in Mangu, lamented that the truck accident which occured on the 14 January, 2023 left 15 persons death and 14 of whom are from his community in Ampang West, Mangu Local Government Area and sympathized with survivors of the two accidents.
He appreciated Atiku Abubakar, PDP presidential candidate, PDP National Chairman, Dr. Ayu Iyorchia and Dr. Chris Kwaja among numerous persons who donated for medical care of the victims and urged community members to continue to give support to the injured for proper recuperation.
“As long as we live, i will continue to offer help to those who need my assistance among the survivors of the unfortunate incident and children left behind by the deceased persons.” He stated.
Mutfwang thanked families of the deceased and the entire Ampang West community for their resilient during the trial moment and appreciated the Accident Victims Management Committee for bringing into bear their expertise in addressing the situation.
Chairman of the PDP Accident Victims Management Committee and former Secretary to the Government of Plateau State, Prof. Shedrack Best recalled that supporters of the party were involved in two different accidents which occured on the 10 January 2023 with 11 patients desirous of medical care; and another accident on the 14 January, 2023 with 68 patients, totaling 79 patients who required medical care.
He noted that with the finances donated by spirited individuals to assist the victims, the committee took over the hospital expenses of the victims from Mangu, Panyam and Jos; including the expenses of initial surgery, mortuary cost, and funeral rites and procedures for the deceased persons.
Prof. Best expressed gratitude to God that the last set of victims who were on admission at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) where those with severe cases were referred to, have all been discharged home.
“We are delighted to report that all the patients on admission have now been discharged. We are now ready to face the final items on our terms of reference, to extend restorative and supportive services to victims to ameliorate their suffering. Let me caution that our committee was not set up to distribute palliatives. It was mainly to ensure that persons who sustained injuries and who were in admission at different medical facilities received excellent care and support.”
He explained that the committee decided to give out fertilizer to the survivors and deceased families to ameliorates their conditions, putting into consideration that Ampang West is an agrarian setting.
Prof. Best said the medical team categorized the victims into four groups which includes; those with mild injuries, moderate injuries, severe injuries and death.
“For the first category with 86 persons, they were giving one bag of fertilizer each; the second category with moderate injuries with 17 persons were giving one bag of fertilizer each with cash donations.
“The third category of severe injuries with 10 persons were supported with fertilizers, any equipment required, such as crutches, wheelchairs, artificial limbs and any supportive medical ware. They will also enjoy cash donations. For the Fourth category of those who lost their lives, totaling 15 persons, we are giving out four bags of fertilizer each to their accepted and documented next of kin, as well as cash.
“For those who left children behind, we have further facilitated the opening of bank accounts for the orphans. Parts of the donation will be paid into the accounts of the children and will become available only when they attained a certain age of responsibility.” He stated.
The District Head of Ampang West, His Royal Highness, Daa Pius Mutla appreciated Barr. Caleb Mutfwang and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for extending restorative and supportive services to ensure the victims of the accident get proper medical care.