The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone D (South West) says the weekend accident that claimed the lives of students and traders in Akungba Akoko has again exposed the failure of government.
Kowe Odunayo Amos, Coordinator, NANS Zone D and Kazeem Olalekan Israel, PRO, NANS Zone D in a statement jointly signed at the weekend, wondered why the security and welfare of the people which are the core responsibilities of government are being unattended to.
“We have once again being justified that government at all level in the country has failed in all ramifications most especially in relation to the provision of Section 14(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) which provides that “security and welfare of the people shall be the primary responsibility of every government” with the accident which claimed the lives of tens of students at Akungba-Akoko yesterday.”
NANS also expressed dismay that the Dangote Group, owner of the ill-fated truck had been silent on the matter.
“And, with the deafening silence of the Dangote Group of Company whose truck claimed the lives of students with the reckless driving of their driver, we cannot but say that there is scant regard for human lives on their part.
“It is important to state that, aside the fact that the accident could have been avoided if not for the reckless driving of the truck driver, the condition of the road is nothing to write home about which shows governmental inefficiency, irresponsibility and irresponsiveness to the plights of the citizens. It need be properly put on record that, on that particular road, many lives have been lost to accident as a result of its very bad condition which is not exclusive to that road alone.
“It is anti-developmental that the road has been lying in that condition for years when in the real sense, it ought to have been dualised while provision is enforced for pedestrian bridge.
Meanwhile NANS has demand that the following actions should be taken in the interest of general peace:
* The government should compensate the family of the deceased and take responsibility for the treatment of the injured.
* The lives of students must be prioritise with the immediate dualization of that road being facilitated by the government.
* The prosecution of the truck driver.
* The fulfillment of the social responsibility which Dangote owe the good people of the country (we are aware he has been evading this based on his collaboration with State agents).
* The construction of more hostels within the campus and implementation of mini-market within the campus
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