GITTO: 3 people perish

 

Reactions have continued to trail the recent ghastly motor accident in Okobo LGA which claimed three lives leaving others unconscious.

Our reporter who visited the place as at the time of the incident was informed by eye witnesses that that the accident occurred about 6pm on the 1st of January, 2014 along Amamong Ekeya round about where there is a borrow pit which Gitto Construction Company excavated red earth that was used in the building of the run way in the Akwa Ibom International Airport and left it uncovered which has claimed so many lives including the last incidence despite frantic efforts by the communities and residents of the area to draw the company and government attention.

One of the eye witnesses told our reporter that the event occurred at about 6pm on that fateful day with people numbering about five in a Toyota Highlander Jeep coming from Amamong to Ekeya village descending the hill, the car somersaulted into the raven where three people instantly perished while the other two sustained serious injuries and have since been registered at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

Reacting on the issue the member for Okobo State Constituency Hon. Efefiong Antigha expressed great shock while sympathizing with the victims, despite several letters by the communities to the Ministry of Environment Akwa Ibom State calling on Verini Company that handles Okopedi/Ekeya road and Gitto Construction Company to do something about the death trap which is consuming innocent lives

On his part, the village head of Idibi Enin in Ekeya Chief Michael Asuquo Ayin and Chief Raymond Esuk of Ape Ammamong village all expressed shock on the road mishap decrying great neglect by the companies who dugged the borrow pit despite various letters on them to reclaim and fill the site, he appealed to them to as a matter of urgency fill the site just as another rainy season is around the corner, in order not to cut off the road.

A former speaker of the State House of Assembly and former Federal House member, Chief Peter Linus Umoh sympathized with the victims and families on the sad incident. He described the accident as unfortunate due to lack of road signs. Immediately before and after the hills close to the borrow pit which was duck by Gitto Company for the construction of the runway in the Airport abandoned without filling it. He therefore called on the State Government to prevail on the company to as a matter of urgency expedite action and fill the borrow pit before it cuts the road even as he wished the survivors quick recovery.