By PASCAL ONU

Senate Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe has expressed sorrow and sadness over the fatal accident at Waterside area of Ogbor Hill, Aba, which claimed lives and injured many.

Senator Abaribe in a statement released in Abuja by his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, also consoled the families of the victims, Government and people of Abia State on the sad incident and prayed that God will comfort the families of the departed and heal the wounded.

A loaded articulated truck lost control and crashed into the abattoir/cattle market very close to Ahiaudele Market at Waterside on the busy Ogbor Hill axis of Aba, killing several people and injuring many, early Thursday morning.

Consequent upon the tragedy, the state government ordered the immediate closure of the markets at the Waterside and relocation of those doing business in the area.

Reacting to the incident, Abaribe, while applauding the measures rolled out by the state government to avert further occurrence, also advised the people to seriously abide by the government directives as it is in the best interest of the people.

Nonetheless, Senator Abaribe who represents Abia South, advised the relevant authorities to ensure strict compliance to its traffic regulations, particularly with regards to the time articulated vehicles should be allowed to ply certain routes in the Aba metropolis.

“It’s very disheartening that we continue to lose lives in that side of Ogbor Hill as a result of traffic incidences. The pain to the families and to all of us at this time is a clarion call that all hands must be on deck to bring such sorrowful incidences to an end.

“The government has come up with measures that are cogent enough to mitigate the occurrences and, of course, it is the duty of all to obey and comply,” he said.