Gov. Otti Offers Free Treatment To Okada Rider Hit By Convoy, Suspends Driver

The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has directed the Commissioner for Health in the state, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, to ensure that a motorcycle rider, Orji Felix, who was injured by a government van, receives the best medical attention at no cost to him or his family.

The governor also ordered the immediate suspension of the driver, Onyebuchi Steven, attached to his convoy who was involved in an accident with the motorcyclist in Ohafia Local Government, on Sunday, pending investigation.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Kazie Uko, on Monday, stated that the investigation was intended to establish the culpability of the driver in the incident.

The statement added that Steven, who was driving a Toyota Hilux pick-up van, reportedly collided with Felix, who had just picked up a passenger by the roadside and was about to ride off.

Uko revealed that both the motorcycle rider and his passenger were promptly rescued and taken to a hospital near the scene of 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.