Govt Uproots Trees Along Okpanam After Aged Tree Kills Rider

A tragic incident on Easter Sunday claimed the life of a commercial tricycle rider along Okpanam Road in Asaba, Delta State. A windstorm uprooted an aged tree, which fell onto a moving “keke,” killing the rider and leaving several passengers injured.

The event has raised alarm among residents, many of whom are urging proactive environmental management to prevent future tragedies. They stress the need for regular assessments and maintenance of old trees in the area.

Confirming the incident, the Honourable Commissioner for Environment, Jamani Ejiro, said he received distress calls shortly after it occurred and quickly mobilized to the scene with officials from the Ministries of Transport and Environment. “Upon receiving the report, I promptly arrived alongside my counterpart from the Ministry of Transport, Hon. Onoriode Agofure. In collaboration with ministry staff, we made the necessary arrangements to evacuate the fallen tree and restore free flow of traffic,” he stated.

According to preliminary findings, the commissioner noted that several trees along Okpanam Road are overgrown with weakened root systems, making them highly vulnerable to collapse during bad weather. He disclosed that the state government has already begun urgent steps to identify and remove hazardous trees in affected areas to prevent a recurrence.