Citizens of Anambra State who lost loved ones’ corpses in the fire that “cremated” the dead bodies at a mortuary in at Enugu Ukwu General Hospital have launched a protest against the Governor Obiano-led state government.
It could be recalled that on 29th December 2019, at Enugu Ukwu General Hospital mortuary, corpses deposited by families while preparing for a “befitting burial” of their love one were burnt beyond recognition.
It was really a black Saturday for all the affected families.
According to Igbo custom and tradition, the dead are normally accorded such “befitting burial”.
Hence, it was considered a taboo for such dead bodies to be so “cremated” with recourse or compensation to the victims’ families.
The Governor, Deputy, and the Commissioner of Health Anambra State government, as well as the House of Representative member visited the scene when the gory incident happened.
One of the protesters, Mr. Amechi Ajana, while speaking to ElombahNews, said:
“They made a lot of promises to enable the victims’ families to identify their corpses and bury them.
“However, weeks after the incident, the government of Anambra state abandoned the corpses of our dear loved ones at Amaku general hospital Awka.”
Hon. Dozie Nwankwo representing Njikoka/Dunukofia/Anaocha Federal Constituency, meanwhile, addressed the protesters on the action he will take on the matter.
Speaking, Hon. Dozie Nwankwo said that a five-man committee has being set up to work with him in actualising the demands of the protesters.
Consequent to the nonchalant attitude of the government, relatives of victims carried out protest at the morgue Tuesday morning.
The affected families were seen protesting to seek justice for what happened on 29th December, 2018, at the Enugu Ukwu General Hospital Mortuary.
According to our correspondent who covered the event, it is a peaceful demonstration to awaken the minds of government and general public on the abandoned corpse at Amaku General Hospital, Awka
The protesting relatives were seen as early as 7.00am at the hospital gate while the protest proper kicked off moments later.
Speaking to ElombahNews crew further, Mr. Amechi Ajana, quoted earlier, said that the turnout is low but the impact is meaningful, and adds:
“We will write complaints to National Human Rights Commission and also some international health Organizations which the state commissioner of health belongs to.
“We will seek advice from someone in World Health Organization on how best to approach some partners of the state government to call on them to handle matter as a responsible government.”
