The call by FG for financial assistance to victims of the Abuja-Kaduna bound train has been condemned by residents of Kaduna State.
Recall that Mr Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, had asked Nigerians to liaise with the hospital to contribute money as some of the patients who have bullets in their body may need surgery.
He said this while on a visit to 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna on Wednesday.
His comment sparked condemnation, among Kaduna residents on Thursday, as some told DAILY POST that, “already, we are in one chance government.”
Dr. Musa Abudlmalik said he donated blood to the victims, not because of the federal government, but to save lives.
According to him, “after stealing our money, exposed us to criminals, terrorists, sold all federal government assets, they are now asking us to pay money to save lives. I won’t blame the federal government. It’s the price we all have to pay through our nose for voting them.”
Also, speaking to DAILY POST, a communication expert and Managing Director of Express communications, Dr. Joseph Dorcas described the call as “a show of shame on the part of Federal Government.”
She wondered how a federal government with all resources, cannot afford to foot the bill but was now calling on poor Nigerians to contribute money.
She added, “this is the most un-serious Government of our time. Bandits started with this Government in 2015, it expanded, cut across the 36 States, including the FCT. They killed, kidnapped, several people. They called for ransom, their families paid.
“Those who were not lucky, they were killed, even after they paid ransom. Yet, the Federal Government is not saying anything. Nigerians were silent over the incompetent Government.
“Now, the Federal Government, through the minster of transport, is calling us fools because we helped, donated blood to the accident victims.”
According to her, “it’s the federal government’s responsibility to protect lives and property of the citizens, but now, it’s the citizens that protect lives of their fellow citizens.”
Meanwhile, Ekiti State Governor and chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, had in a statement on Wednesday, apologized to Nigerians over their inability to protect lives and property.
“First, as leaders, we owe the victims and their relations an apology as these unwarranted acts of violence are becoming too regular and they basically question our collective capacity to govern,” he said.