BYANAYO OKOLI.

UMUAHIA-THE Federal Government said it would be responsible for the burial expenses of the five executive members of National Association of Nigerian Students [NANS] who died in auto crash last week in Ariam in Ikwuano council of Abia state while going to Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.

 
Education Minister, Prof. Ruqayatu Ahmed Rufai made the promise in Umuahia yesterday when she visited the injured students still on admission at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.
 
The minister also said that the Federal Government would take care of the medical expenses of the students that survived the fatal crash.
 
 Meanwhile, sources from the hospital disclosed that the centre needs eight million naira (N8m) to buy a ventilator for one of the crash victim who is on life support machine at the hospital.
 
The minister and his team, including the Executive Secretary of National Univerities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie were conducted round the wards to have on the spot assessment of the health conditions of the students on medical admission at the hospital.

Conducting the them round the hospital, the chairman of the hospital medical advisory,  Dr. Uche Nwamuo explained to the minister and her team that the patient on life support was recuperating well but disclosed that the are only three in the hospital.
 
In her reaction, the minister who appreciated the hospital management for its spirited efforts in the medical care being shown to the injured students declared that federal government has resolved to pay the students hospital bill and to take charge of their general welfare while in the hospital.

 Her words: “The Federal government is ready to take charge and responsibility for medical bills of the students that died and pray for those in hospital to be part of us someday as government has also decided to take their bills and any other matters arising from the unfortunate accident”