Chairman of Gborogbosi Foundation, Dr Leesi Gborogbosi has blamed failure of government and other key stakeholders for the carnage on the East-West Roads.
The recent incident claimed a pregnant woman and four others as well as destroyed several houses and vehicles.
According to him, the needless deaths on the Eleme-Onne axis of the road wouldn’t have occurred if the government and the companies in the area were proactive.
Gborogbosi in a statement yesterday said the negligence and hypocrisy of the government over actions being taken on the important road is ‘inciting’.
He said: “The larger Nigerian state is aware of the suffering of the people in that area since 2015, but have not taken any far reaching action.
“But even if Nigeria has shown little concern for the people of Rivers, out of 12 flyovers constructed by the Rivers Government lately, why was consideration not given for a flyover over the Aleto Bridge? This lack of good governance is unacceptable.
“Local Councils in Rivers do not have fire stations and trucks, which is another contributing factor to the carnage on the East-West Road. Why were fire trucks not deployed from Eleme, Okrika, and Port Harcourt to the scene? The lack of empathy and care for the people are appalling without functional fire stations and trucks.”
He also reasoned that considering that the carnage almost occurred at the gates of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited, should have compelled the firm to respond promptly.
He emphasised the need to show love and protect the people at all times.
