By PETER OKUTU, Abakaliki

CONSIDERING the ravaging phenomenon of get-rich-quick syndrome which has apparently eaten deep into the culture of most Nigerians, especially the youths, one wonders if good Samaritans are still in existence in the country.

But be that as it may, an official of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, in Ebonyi State, Mr. Joseph Abuo this week proved to sceptics that there are still men of integrity, efficiency and character in most federal government agencies across the country as he returned two hundred and fifteen thousand, six hundred and ninety naira (N215, 690) cash and other valuables to the families of last month’s accident which took place in Ivo Local government area of the state.

It should be recalled that on September 14 that the crash which was a head-on- collision involving a Nissan premier car with a yellow trailer truck occurred at about 3.45 pm at Berger Junction along the

Ishiagu–Afikpo Road; the accident claimed the lives of Mr. Victor Idam, his wife and three others.

The deceased couple who were members of Deeper Life Bible Church were driving in a Nissan Primera with registration number UML 250 AA when it (car) collided with a yellow-coloured Mack Trailer with registration No. APP 215 XP.

A source close to the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, in Ebonyi State told Vanguard Metro on condition of anonymity, that the crash was caused by over-speeding. He advised road users to desist from over-speeding on the smooth-surfaced Ishiagu/Afikpo road. In a chat with Vanguard Metro in his office at Ishiaka, the Unit Commander, FRSC, in Ivo LGA, Mr. Joseph Abuo who led the team to the scene of the incident revealed that the accident occurred a distance of about 100 meters to Ivo LGA secretariat as all the occupants of the Nissan premiere, including two men and three women believed to be coming from a church convention died on the spot.

According to Abuo, five GSM phones including a black berry, a female hang bag containing several items, a recorder belonging to a staff of Continental Broadcasting Limited, TVC, news department and above all a cash of N215, 690 recovered at the scene of the incident were returned to the families of the deceased.

Handing over the items to the representative of the family led by Barrister Ede Sam Ede, Mr. Abuo stated that the FRSC was a well disciplined outfit that will ensure that the right things are done irrespective of whoever is involved.

“It is clear that seventy five percent of road traffic crashes are believed to be caused by human factors; so road users should remember that we are now in the yuletide period. I want to advise drivers to be mindful of their activities on the highways. I want to charge them to avoid over speeding, dangerous driving, wrong over taking; they should make sure they wear seat belts and avoid drinking while driving because their loved ones are waiting for them at home”

Another eyewitness attributed the crash to the carelessness of the driver of the trailer. The source told VM that the accident occurred when the conductor of the trailer was trying to take over from his

driver while the vehicle was still in motion. “The accident was very terrible; in fact, those who came to rescue the victims had to force the doors open before the victims were brought out. I learnt that the conductor was trying to take over from the driver while on steering. Before their death, the couple were resident in Umuahia. The wife worked with the Education Board in Abia, while the husband who is graduate of Ebonyi State University, EBSU, Abakaliki worked with a media outfit located in Port Harcourt. He was a presenter with Deeper Life Satellite Television,” the source explained.

Responding on behalf of the deceased families, barrister Ede thanked the FRSC for their contribution towards the recovery of the items.