Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s Presidential candidate for the 2023 election, has pointed to poor road infrastructure and insecurity during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as contributing factors to the deaths of 35 individuals in accidents in Kogi and Enugu states.
Obi voiced his concerns via his official social media accounts, highlighting that 19 people lost their lives in Kogi on Sunday, with an additional 16 fatalities in Enugu on Tuesday.
He stressed the urgency of prioritizing the construction of internal roads over mega projects like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Superhighway, urging for more prudent allocation of resources.
In his words;
“I have just confirmed two very gory road accidents in Kogi and Enugu states, respectively, that claimed the lives of 35 persons.”
“The Kogi incident happened on Sunday along Okene/Lokoja bye, where 19 persons were roasted alive, while the other occurred along Nsukka/Enugu Road in Enugu state on Tuesday, claiming the lives of sixteen persons.”
“The Enugu State Police Command and Kogi State Federal Road Service Corps, FRSC, have confirmed the two accidents.”
“Even though the cause of the accidents is yet unknown, it must not be unconnected with the bad conditions of roads and insecurities.”
“This is why I continue to shout out that our meagre resources should be channelled at priority areas to fix our internal roads to make them passable before going for super highway projects, which will take the chunk of the resources meant for these essential areas.”
“My heart goes to the families of the deceased and the injured as I pray to God to give them the strength to bear the huge loss. My condolences also go to the governments and the people of Kogi and Enugu states”.