By Nnaya Okemini, Umuahia
An articulated truck, belonging to Dangote Cement Plc loaded with 900 bags of cement valued at N2.1 million has tumbled near a densely populated outskirt of Asaga Ohafia, Ohafia local government area.
This is just as the truck which is still lying from one edge of the only road from Ebem, the headquarters of the area to the other has caught off the community and its surrounding neighbours.
An eye witness account told newsmen at the scene that the driver said he lost control of the truck after the brake failed on top of a very high and sloppy hill that descends into the community from Ebem.
The witness explained that the truck was speeding toward the outskirt where there are many residential buildings, shops, restaurants, and workshops when it collided with an oncoming BMW car and tumbled.
Maintaining that had it crossed into the outskirt, which is less than 50 meters from the scene, the damage will have been very expansive, he said the six victims were rushed to a hospital immediately.
According to the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Eze Emmanuel Onugu, who has visited the scene, the victims were treated promptly at Uma Ukpai Hospital, Asaga for minor injuries.
He commended the quick intervention of the youth by rescuing the driver and his two mates, who were trapped inside, the three loaders, and assisting in loading the undamaged bags into another truck.
“I thank God for the hospital. Thanks also to the proprietor, the Rev. (Dr) Uma Ukpai. The driver of the car from Amaekpu Ohafia, who was also injured appreciated the youth, and the hospital management,” he said.
The monarch warned miscreants against taking advantage of the mishap to cart away any items from the scene, saying activities there were being seriously monitored by security agencies.
He lamented that the blockage was affecting every facet of life in the community and the neighbours, which extends up to Cross River state, and appealed to those concerned to do the needful.
Similarly, the owner of the consignment and managing director of Ukel Fountain Concept, Mr Eke Uka Awa expressed shock over the accident, wondering why it occurred almost at the end of the journey.
Awa, who said he noticed the danger when he saw the truck sped pass his depot at the foot of the over one kilometre hill, added that he is consoled that there was no loss of life.
He said he had been in contact with the cement company, the Police, and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for their neccessary actions, aligning himself with the monarch’s call for the removal of the truck.
However, efforts to reach both the police and the FRSC headquarters in Umuahia, the state capital on efforts being made to clear the road of the truck as at press time were yet to yield positive results.
It would be recalled that during last Christmas, a 33,000 litre-capacity petrol thanker crashed as it was negotiating into a filling station in Ebem, spilling the entire content around and beyond without catching fire.
