Residents of Anambra State are increasingly worried about the rising number of road accidents in the area. They are pointing fingers at the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Anambra State Road Traffic Maintenance Agency (ARTMA) for these avoidable deaths. Many believe that ARTMA’s strict enforcement of traffic laws is causing drivers to take risks, leading to accidents.
A recent tragic incident involved a young lawyer named Okechukwu, who lost his life in a road crash on the Awka-Enugu Expressway. Okechukwu collided with an abandoned truck that had been left on the highway and crashed into a nearby drainage ditch. A relative of Okechukwu shared that he had just buried his mother and was driving home when the accident occurred. This loss has left his family and friends in shock, as it could have been prevented. They emphasize the danger of leaving broken-down vehicles on the road without any warning signs.
After the accident, Okechukwu’s body was taken to the same mortuary where he had just left his mother’s remains. This incident highlights the urgent need for improved safety measures on Anambra highways.
Local residents have criticized traffic officials for their inaction, particularly the FRSC. Many feel that these officials should be more proactive in towing away broken-down trucks from the roads. Journalist Jude Atupulazi condemned the practice of leaving abandoned vehicles on highways, warning that another truck near a hospital poses a risk of further accidents.
Another resident, Chukwuma Nwaeze, believes that both the FRSC and ARTMA share the blame, but he feels that ARTMA is more responsible since they are tasked with directly serving the public. He pointed out that while the agency has tow trucks, they often use them to impound vehicles for fines rather than to remove dangerous ones from the road.
In response to these concerns, Joyce Alexander, the Sector Commander of the FRSC in Anambra, acknowledged the issue but emphasized that their officials cannot be everywhere at once. She called on the public to help by reporting incidents and obstructions through the FRSC’s toll-free emergency number, 122. She expressed her condolences to Okechukwu’s family and explained that the crash was likely caused by excessive speed, as indicated by skid marks at the scene.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the need for better road safety measures and the importance of taking action to prevent avoidable deaths on Anambra highways. Residents are calling for the authorities to do more to ensure the safety of all road users.
