In the aftermath of the NST bus mishap on March 13 between Phek village and Lanye gate where 13 died, Phek Area Public Organisation(PAPO) haws raised several questions on “some of the loopholes of the department over the incident”.
PAPO president Vezhehu Vero and general secretary Zhechete Mekrisuh posed the following : why was NST bus NL-11-2313 detailed without a conductor to travel 60-70 KMs and the reasons for not detailing a conductor?. They opined that had a conductor been detailed, then the accident could have been averted by preventing the “the deceased driver who was drunk” from driving from the station or by NST officials before departure. PAPO also asked why was a “habitual drunken driver” allowed to drive passenger bus and why no preventive measures were taken against such group of drunken driver by terminating their services?
PAPO also hoped that such tragic incident does not happen anywhere in the state but if it happened, then the department would be made answerable to the public.
PAPO also expressed sadness over the loss of lives and conveyed its condolences to the bereaved and wished speedy recovery of the injured.
PAPO also expressed gratitude on time evacuation by Phek village youth volunteers, Lanezho and Lozaphuhu village youth along with A.R. Phek, police and administration led by ADC Phek.
On behalf of the bereaved families, PAPO also thanked individuals in and around Phek town, surrounding churches and communities and Phek Town Baptist Church, Phek town Public Welfare Forum, doctors, nurses and staff at Phek district hospital and PTCSU for their physical and material support during the period.