Seriki Adinoyi in Jos and Udora Orizu in Abuja
A member of House of Representatives representing Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency, Mr. Haruna Maitala Friday passed on in a fatal road accident along the Abuja-Jos expressway.
Maitala’s passage elicited anger and disappointment among the people of Plateau State yesterday with the Senator representing Plateau North, Istifanus Gyang ascribing it to the failure of the federal government to construct the expressway.
These were revealed in separate statements by Maitala’s media consultant, Mr. Joseph Adudu and Gyang’s media assistant, Mr. Musa Ashoms.
In his own statement, Adudu said: “This is to announce the death of Honourable Haruna Maitala which occurred April 2 as a result of a fatal road accident on his way to Jos from Abuja.
“Until his death, Maitala was the member representing Jos North/Bassa federal constituency in the National Assembly. He would be buried this morning according to Islamic rite.”
Describing Maitala’s death as shocking and devastating, Gyang lamented that the road crash would not have happened if the Abuja-Jos expressway was not deplorable.
Gyang noted that Maitala’s death brought “to the fore the deplorable state of our road infrastructure, particularly the Jos-Akwanaga, Jos-Barde-Keffi highways and the need for reconstruction by the federal government.”
The senator noted that the deceased had a gentle, steady and unassuming personality, and related well with his colleague legislators.
He said that the people of Plateau North joined members of the Plateau caucus in the National Assembly to commiserate with Maitala’s immediate family and his constituents over this devastating loss.
In a statement by his Director of Press, Makut Macham yesterday, Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong described Maitala’s demise as shocking and tragic.
The statement said Maitala’s demise was a big loss to his immediate family, Jos North/Bassa constituency and the entire state.
He said: “I am deeply saddened by this tragic development for Plateau state and Nigeria where we lost another legislator in the National Assembly currently representing Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives.
“The late legislator was a passionate politician who served his people with zeal and compassion. He did a lot to project and protect the interests of not only his constituency, but the entire state at the parliament. He will be missed greatly.”
In his condolence message yesterday, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Idris Wase has expressed sadness over Maitala’s sudden death
The deputy speaker described late Maitala as a hardworking, dedicated and honest politician who died when his services were needed the most.
He said, “I am deeply saddened as I join the people of Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency and the entire Plateau State to mourn the loss of our brother and colleague, Haruna Maitala.
“We have lost one of our illustrious sons, a loving father, a man of peace filled with wisdom and honesty. We cannot question the Almighty Allah over what has happened.
“I, therefore, urge members of his family and his constituents to take heart and consider the death of Hon. Maitala as part of Allah’s Decree. I also pray to Allah to forgive all his sins while on earth and grant the departed souls Jannatul Firdaus.”
