By Our Reporter
There was palpable concern on Monday after a coastal bus belonging to Akanu Ibiam Federal Technical College, Uwana, was spotted conveying an excessive number of students, raising serious safety fears among residents and road users.
Eyewitnesses reported that the bus, clearly overstretched beyond its seating capacity, had students crammed into available spaces, with some standing precariously. The situation, observers say, poses grave risks including brake failure due to excess weight, loss of vehicle control, increased likelihood of road accidents, suffocation, and difficulty in emergency evacuation.
Overloading not only endangers the lives of the students but also exposes the school authorities and the state to avoidable tragedy. In the event of a crash, the consequences could be devastating, given the vulnerability of young passengers.
When approached, the driver of the vehicle lamented that he “does not have a say” in the number of students conveyed per trip, suggesting that the practice may be a systemic issue rather than an isolated incident.
Concerned residents are therefore calling on the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, to urgently intervene and direct relevant authorities to investigate the matter. Stakeholders insist that student safety must never be compromised for convenience or cost-saving.
They further appeal for strict enforcement of transportation safety regulations in schools across the state to prevent potential loss of lives.
The lives of Ebonyi state children are priceless, and proactive steps today could avert a heartbreaking tragedy tomorrow.
