Widows and other relatives of 16 Umuahia-based traders who died in an accident on the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway have appealed to the Abia State government to fulfill the financial assistance promise it made to them after the incident.
The accident happened on Saturday, February 15, 2026 when some traders returning from the traditional marriage of one of their members in Enugu, were involved in a fatal accident.
Speaking to journalists in Umuahia on Monday, the families of the deceased said the financial assistance promised by the Abia State government is yet to get to them, eight months after.
According to the bereaved families, their regular visits to the Abia State Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection had not been fruitful as officials repeatedly told them that the financial assistance approved by Governor Alex Otti is still being processed.
Speaking on behalf of other family members, a widow, Mrs Nwankwo Jane Uzoamaka, who lost her husband in the accident, alleged that information at the disposal of the traders was that the money had long been approved by Governor Otti.
Mrs Uzoamaka, who was spoke amid tears, expressed concern that officials of the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection or other individuals may be sitting on the approved money for the past eight months.
“As at this October 2026, we have not seen anything. The rumours we are getting is that the state government has released the money but the truth is that none of us has received money or any other assistance.
“Some of us borrowed money to bury our loved ones after waiting for the government assistance for a long period,” she said.
Another widow who simply identified herself as Mrs Amarachi, said she lost her husband and mother to the accident, adding that her own grandmother also died of shock after hearing of the incident.
“Please, if the government has actually disbursed the money, they should come out and tell us and if they have released the money and if someone is withholding the money, that person should bring it out because we urgently need it.
“I saw myself online the day the government officials came to make the promise but up till now, I have not seen anything,” Mrs Amarachi appealed.
When contacted, Abia State Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs Ngozi Felix, said her office had not released the money.
The commissioner, who explained that her office is still processing the financial assistance, said the payment would not be made through an intermediary.
“I appeal to them for patience and understanding as this is a sheer act of benevolence on the part of government after settling their various hospital bills,” she said.
Families of 16 accident victims ask Abia Govt to fulfill financial support pledge