Sam Onuigbo, member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency of Abia State at the House of Representatives has said that the Federal Emergency Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has moved materials to the bad sections of Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene road to commence palliative works.
This followed a protest by students of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), after an accident led to the death of a 500-level female student of the institution
The federal lawmaker also revealed that he was working unrelentingly for the Federal Government to provide adequate funding that will enable the contractors handling the total reconstruction of the dilapidated road to come back to the site.
Onuigbo, who spoke through a statement on Wednesday, against the backdrop of the recent protest over the killing of the student by a trailer driver on the deplorable busy road on Sunday, reiterated his avowed commitment to the repair of the road. He urged residents of the area to cooperate with the road workers so that they can carry out their works effectively.
He expressed sadness on the news of the unfortunate death of the 500-level student of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the university and appealed to the students to exercise restraint over the loss of their beloved colleague.
He also called on commuters to be aware of the state of the road, and ply with caution as “we cannot afford to lose more lives.”
He however on behalf of his family, and the people of Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency condoled with the family of the deceased and the entire student population and staff of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, on the unfortunate incident.
DAILY POST reported that Students of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State, had staged a peaceful protest against the dilapidated condition of the Umuahia-Ikwuano Ikot Ekpene federal road barely one day, a trailer vehicle crushed and killed instantly a 500 level student of the institution on the said road.
The slain student was identified as Miss Chidinma Ogbonna.
The protesting students had barricaded all the routes that lead to the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene road, refusing road users access to the road, lamenting that it has become a death trap to them, private and commercial vehicle owners.
