Owerri, the capital of Imo State, was rocked by tragedy on Friday morning as a fatal road collision occurred on the vital Owerri-Onitsha Expressway, resulting in numerous casualties.

Information obtained by The Eastern Updates indicates that a group of individuals from the Lord’s Chosen Church were caught up in a collision as their upscale bus collided with a Tipper truck.

It’s been reported that the church members were on their way to Owerri for a weekend crusade when the unfortunate incident took place.

A witness, who preferred to remain anonymous, informed the press that at least 20 members of the church were feared deceased in the crash.

“Yes. It (the accident) happened at the Orogwe end of the Owerri-Onitsha Expressway here in Owerri. From what I have seen, I think over 20 people died in this accident,” he said.

Read also: Ekeh Donates Tech Centres To Imo State University, Others

According to the witness, some residents had quickly transported a few of the victims to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Imo State police spokesperson Henry Okoye, an assistant of police, confirmed the incident when contacted, stating that more than five individuals had been reported dead, and an undetermined number of victims had been conveyed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

“Over five (victims) have been confirmed dead. I don’t have the statistics for now. Those confirmed dead have also been deposited in the mortuary,” Okoye said.

As relayed by the police spokesperson, it was stated that the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Danjuma Aboki, has swiftly reacted by dispatching a traffic team to the accident scene to assist in evacuating victims. Additionally, extra police operatives have been deployed to manage the significant traffic congestion resulting from the incident.

The Eastern Updates 

The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma has charged Commissioner-designates and other political appointees undergoing training at a two-day retreat ahead of their inauguration, to ensure that they properly understand, internalize and embrace the principles of the 3R Shared Prosperity Administration, anchored on Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Recovery.

The Governor opened the retreat yesterday at the Imo State Data Centre in Owerri. He informed the participants that upon completion of the exercise, they should be proficient in the 3R’s doctrines concerning service delivery, specifically “shunning corruption and achieving success at the end of the day.”

He pointed out that his administration is more interested in credit for work well done and not blame game, noting that the retreat is to connect and unite the appointees  for collective success “because the success of one is the success of all.”

Emphasizing on the importance of the theme of the retreat: “BUILDING OF EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION AND SYNERGY FOR DELIVERYING THE GOVERNOR HOPE UZODIMMA DEVELOPMENT AGENDA,” the Governor described the retreat as very critical and intended for formal assumption of office as members of his Executive Council.

He said the whole idea is for the resource persons to take them through what government expects of them, that is, through the rudiments of public service delivery and accountability, the process of which he added centers on the vision and mission of his administration.

Read Also: Imo Assembly Confirms Uzodinma’s 6 Commissioner Nominees

Again, he harped on the need for them to work as one family, saying that “every one of you must blend and understand each other as a united team.”

Highlighting the need for a renewed spirit, Governor Uzodinma reminded them to consider themselves fortunate for being among the chosen and admonished them to “understand that the appointment comes with enormous responsibilities and expectations.”

“Serve with honesty and sincerity of purpose and be dedicated and selfless,” he said and encouraged them to use the opportunity to make their marks and leave positive legacies for the future to remember them.

Governor Uzodinma who made the participants to understand that good governance means being honest in service delivery to the people, said he chose them based on their unique values and what they will bring to the table.

He noted that they “owe nobody any debt for their choice,” just as he admonished them to understand that their unwavering loyalty is to him as the Governor and head of the Government of Imo State.

He advised that their loyalty must be absolute “because identity is very important.”

Reiterating his dislike for corruption, the Governor said that “the 3R administration has zero tolerance for corruption; anyone indicted for corrupt practices will face immediate dismissal and prosecution.”

Buttressing the above, he reminded them that while praying to God to make him Governor of Imo State he made a vow to lead honestly and to be accountable to the people and to God and as such, he will not compromise by way of indulgence and poor performance.

He reminded the appointees that he has established a Monitoring and Supervision Department in his Office to continuously supervise and evaluate the performance of the cabinet members.

He used the opportunity to announce that his second tenure administration will be driven by run E-Governance “to reduce human traffic, save time and increase productivity,” noting that the appointees may not need to see him all the time “rather they can always send their proposals and needs to the portal and they will be addressed.”

Governor Uzodinma reiterated that his first tenure made tremendous progress in the area of infrastructure, a situation he said aided them to win the second tenure with ease, but insisted that in the second tenure the government is expected to raise the bar.

Finally, he congratulated the Commissioner-designates and other top political appointees on their choice and urged them to take their new responsibility with the utmost seriousness it deserves.

The Eastern Updates