This catastrophe, which left numerous innocent Nigerians with varying degrees of injuries and caused significant damage to trucks and cars, occurred along the Ologbo axis of the Warri/Benin highway.
In response to this dire situation, NUPENG, while extending heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, issued a stern warning of a potential nationwide work stoppage and service withdrawal to protest the deplorable conditions of roads across the country.
In a joint statement by its President, Williams Akporeha and General Secretary, Afolabi Olawale, NUPENG noted the need to address the perilous state of the Benin/Warri highway, attributing the tragic accident to its deteriorated condition. The union expressed deep sorrow over the recurring accidents and tragedies arising from the neglect of road infrastructure.
The statement partly reads, “This was an avoidable and unfortunate tragedy that wouldn’t have happened if our political leaders aren’t so callous, irresponsible and insensitive to the plight of the ordinary masses they claim to be leading and representing.
“Without any doubt, this was an accident that waited so long to happen, and the leadership of our great union did so much to avert it. We spent workers’ hard earned money to put hardcore stones and sands several times on many portions of this highway every year to make it passable for our members and other road users .
“We made several advocacy calls and campaigns for repairs of these roads and even issued threats of industrial actions to draw the attention of the relevant authorities to the tragic accident-in-waiting, yet no response until this happened.
“We even took the campaign for repairs of these roads into different federal and state Government Houses, even as recent as our visit to the governor of Delta State just two weeks ago, precisely on September 19, 2023.
”We make bold to say though these roads are federal roads, the accidents and tragedies like these are definitely local and state calamities.
“No governor or government officials should shed any crocodile tears in this matter...“