Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has issued a directive to the State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, instructing her to ensure that Orji Felix, a motorcycle rider injured in an accident involving a government van, receives the highest level of medical care, with no financial burden on him or his family.
Additionally, Governor Otti has ordered the immediate suspension of Onyebuchi Steven, the driver assigned to his convoy, who was involved in the accident with a motorcyclist in Ohafia Local Government on Sunday. This suspension will remain in effect pending the outcome of an investigation aimed at determining the driver’s responsibility in the incident.
According to a statement released by Mr. Kazie Uko, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, this investigation seeks to establish the driver’s liability in the collision. The statement also indicated that the accident occurred when Steven, operating a Toyota Hilux pick-up van, collided with Felix, who had just picked up a passenger at the roadside and was preparing to depart.
Uko further disclosed that both the motorcycle rider and his passenger were promptly rescued and transported to a nearby hospital following the accident.
The statement read, “While the passenger was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital in Ohafia and discharged, Felix, according to the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, suffered multiple fractures on his left leg and right arm.
“The 18-year-old Okada rider was subsequently rushed in an ambulance from Ohafia to the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia after he was attended to by Dr. Okoronkwo, who applied first aid on him and bandaged his injured leg and arm.
“Felix is currently admitted at the Crowther ward, FMC, where he is recuperating. Nurses on duty, on Sunday night, described his condition as “very stable”.
“The patient, who is now receiving full medical attention, was seen interacting and responding to questions posed to him. “The pain is not much again,” he replied when asked about the pain in his left leg.
The commissioner, who returned to the hospital Sunday night to monitor the patient’s progress, thanked the nurses on duty for taking good care of him. Dr. Okoronkwo reiterated the Governor’s directive that the patient be properly attended to.
