By Odey Ojeka
At least one person has died while seven are seriously injured after a truck laden with plantain and sweet potato skid off the Idomi road in Yakurr local government area of central Cross River Friday morning.
Motorists are currently using the Idomi bypass which links Ugep in Yakurr and Adim in Biase local government area due to a failed portion at the boundary caused by the ongoing rehabilitation of the road by the federal government.
And, a resident (names withheld) who spoke to CrossRiverWatch said: “We were in our compound relaxing outside before a driver with Hilux came and informed us that an accident has occurred in Idomi road.
“We rushed to the scene,unfortunately one woman died at the spot while the remaining seven sustained serious injuries. We carried those injured to (the) Ugep general hospital for treatment that same night.”
He called on the state and federal governments to stop harassing residents who attempt to make the roads more motorable.
“Yesterday morning some youths who were trying to repair the road where driven by SARS. They fired thrice in the air and collected the money driver’s gave to them as appreciation. Our governments are not trying, they are spending our money, they cannot repair our road,” the resident said.
The corpse was evacuated earlier today (Saturday) by an ambulance accompanied by two policemen, CrossRiverWatch gathered.