By Kola Alhassan
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has commiserated with families of victims who lost their lives in the accident that occurred on Akungba-Akoko road yesterday.
This is contained in a statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde.
A source said three persons died. One of them was simply identified as Micheal, a former student at Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko,Ondo State.
The Governor noted that, the accident was avoidable given the steps that had been taken to forestall such occurrence after the incessant accidents that have claimed the lives of indigenes and students in the past.
Akeredolu had ordered that a barricade be mounted at the troubled portion of the road to stop articulated vehicles from plying that route.
He, however, expressed disappointment over people’s love for money over lives.
“It is disheartening that some people have turned the barricade mounted by government to prevent these heavy trucks from plying the road, into a money-making venture. If people truly value lives, and understand that whatever money you made at the expense of people’s lives is blood money. This particular incident was highly avoidable.
“On several occasions, I have visited Akungba Akoko on the heels of incessant accidents. As part of our temporary solution to the situation, a barricade was mounted. It was expected that no heavy duty vehicle would ply that road again. However, we have received reports that some residents of the town open this barricade for heavy duty trucks to pass for a token,” he said.
He, therefore, warned all community leaders, youth leaders or representatives, and other residents of the town to immediately stop such act.
Akeredolu said government would detail armed security personnel to man the barricade and punish anyone found opening this barricade for articulated vehicles.
He promised to commence the construction of the bad portion of the road soon, adding that the design was ready.
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