The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has offered to offset the medical bills of victims of an accident involving a truck and multiple vehicles near Karu Bridge, along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, Abuja on Wednesday.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, disclosed the development in a statement on Thursday.
FCT Emergency Management Department confirmed that 10 persons died, while 30 others suffered major burns and are currently hospitalised.
According to the statement, the minister also sympathised with the victims, and directed the Mandate Secretary on Health and Environment, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, to ensure prompt treatment of the injured, which she did.
Wike said he had been briefed that seven of the 17 casualties received were referred to the National Hospital, while six of them with minor injuries were treated successfully, and three others with severe burns and inhalation and crush injuries are currently receiving treatment.
“The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has sympathised with victims of the motor vehicle accident that occurred yesterday’s evening,(Wednesday) in Karu, Abuja. He offered to foot the medical bills of the casualties.
“The minister, who described the accident as avoidable, expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, and directed continuation of treatments of those who sustained injuries.
“Speaking through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister said when he heard about the accident, he immediately directed the Mandate Secretary on Health and Environment, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, to ensure prompt treatment of the injured, which she did.
“On my directive, the Mandate Secretary on Health and Environment, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe was in Asokoro District Hospital, till today’s morning and she was among the medical personnel who attended to the 17 casualties brought to the hospital.
“She briefed me that after initial stabilisation, seven of the 17 casualties received were referred to National Hospital, six with minor injuries were treated successfully, three with severe burns and inhalation and crush injuries are currently receiving treatment. However, one of the casualties with third degree burns passed away while being resuscitated,” the statement partly read.
The minister also called on road users, particularly heavy duty vehicle drivers, to adhere strictly to speed limits, while expressing sadness that the lives lost and vehicles destroyed in the accident could be avoided.
He also called on the Federal Road Safety Corps and other agencies to intensify efforts to maintain conpliance with traffic rules.
Punch