Dana: My wife was engine of our home –Widower
JUNE 4, 2013
Crash site cenotaph and One of the newly-constructed roads.
Families and Friends of the victims of the June 3, 2012 Dana plane crash came back on Monday to Popoola/Olaniyi Street, Lagos State, where the lives of their loved ones were cut short exactly a year ago.
It was the first year remembrance of the 157 crash victims and the unveiling of the cenotaph in their honour.
The atmosphere was solemn as the families struggled with their emotion which seemed to remain strong despite the passage of time.
The state Governor, Babatunde Fashola, understood their sorrows as he expressed the hope that time would lessen their pains.
He said, “Many nations like India, China, United States and Nigeria were united by a common grief.
“Many of us cannot even begin to imagine how great your suffering must have been in the last one year. We can only empathise with you in the hope that our empathy will bring some relief.”
The governor advised that the crash should compel Nigeria leaders to re-examine response strategies to disasters, adding that the watchword for decision-making must be safety.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Special Duty, Dr. Wale Ahmed, said the state recorded 98 per cent success in identifying the crash victims.
He added that the memorial was organised by the government with the agreement of the families of the victims.
Dr. Ben Ayene, who lost six people in the crash, urged that the incident should not be seen as an act of God only.
He said, “We must not mourn like people without future. Government must ensure safer air. Dana Air is flying but there is no official report on the incident. The Federal Government must show more commitment to transparency.”
Another relative of a victim, Ms. Chizoba Mojekwu, said there were so many unanswered questions about what really happened.
She urged Dana Air to ensure that families of the victims were treated with respect and dignity by paying compensation.
Representative of the Minister of Aviation, Mr. George Osi, assured the people that the government was putting safety and security measures in place to prevent recurrence.
Osi, a Permanent Secretary in the ministry, said, “The government is also doing everything to make sure that everybody complied with the measures.”
Highlights of the event were the inauguration of the cenotaph and prayers for the victims by Mosignor Ben Okodua and Alhaji Akeem Kosoko.
The Okechukwus
Three children – Joel (11), Chisom (9), and Esther (7) Okechukwu – rescued by Fashola at the scene of the crash are in good hands.
They survived because they were sent out by their parents to look for an electrician to rectify an electrical fault in the home.
Fashola said, “I met them at the site of the crash on June 4, 2012. Our paths have remained intertwined since then.
“They are doing well. They have become a lifetime commitment of my wife and I to ensure that their aspirations are fulfilled.
“Their origin is in Enugu State, but their home is in Lagos.”
Other victims protest
Some people, who called themselves Ground Victims of Dana Air Crash, protested against their alleged maltreatment on the scene.
The people, who were mostly tenants of the houses destroyed in the crash, said they also suffered personal losses.
Their spokesperson, Mr. Gbenga Julius, said they were surprised that the government and Dana Air management had not considered them for compensation.
He said, “We heard it on the news that government and Dana Air gave some people compensation. This is unfair to the 19 families in our group because none of us has received anything. We also suffered losses.”
He said the group had recruited a lawyer to fight their cause.
More victims’ relatives react
Dr. Robert Attuh, who lost his wife, said since last year when the incident happened, he had to bear the burden of catering for three children.
He said, “It has been a very difficult time for me. My wife was the engine and heart beat of our home.”
Another relative Ndubisi Nwakalu, who lost his younger sister and her son, lamented that the Federal Government had not shown concern and lacked willingness to get any compensation for the victims.
A counsel for about 30 of the victims, Mr. Gbenga Eguntola, said Dana Airline was not handling the issue of compensation well.
He said, “We are not really asking for $5,000 compensation. We are saying that let the money be paid in the interim, because if you calculate the loss of these people, it is more than that money. But just give them something to start with. Some of these people are still homeless up till now. Some have to relocate from this town. Some had to send their wives and children back to the village so they can find their feet.”
Residents benefit from incident
Many of the roads in Popoola/Olaniyi Street have been tarred.
The residents described it as a welcome development, but added that it was unfortunate that the crash was responsible for the development in the area.
A fashion designer, Yewande Akinlade, said, “Well, the incident brought some level of development to this area.
“The effect of this is that in commemoration of the event, the government came to repair the road, although there are other places yet to be completed. What if there is no crash, can’t we be able talk enjoy our government?”
Another resident, who pleaded anonymity, said the construction of the road was done because of the memorial. He wondered why tragedies had to occur before the government did what is right.
He said, “Day and night, they were working on this road so it will be ready today. Is it good for us to be praying for evil to happen before the government does what is right?”
Semiu Adetunji, another resident said, “Our area was not as good and developed as this before the crash. It was after it happened that the government came to our aid.”
Sunday Alabi, a resident, said the road construction would save the people from perennial problem of flooding they usually face.
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