Call for construction of pedestrian and overhead bridges to enhance safety
By Admin:
Transport unions and residents of Oko-Olowo community in Ilorin, Kwara State, have appealed to both the Federal and Kwara State Government to, as a matter of urgency, restore speed breakers on the Oko-Olowo expressway.
They made the appeal during a peaceful protest staged on wednesday morning by members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria RTEAN, and concerned residents of the area, following the removal of the speed breakers by contractors handling a road project along Ilorin-Jebba Expressway.
Speaking at the event, the Kwara State Chairman, NURTW, Alhaji Abdulrasak Ariwoola, represented by the union’s secretary, Comrade Aliyu Rasheed, lamented the rising cases of fatal accidents following the removal of speed breakers on the busy expressway
Alhaji Ariwoola appealed to the government to not only reinstall the speed breakers but also construct pedestrian and overhead bridges to enhance safety.
Similarly, the State Chairman, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Abdulrahman Onikijipa, described the speed breakers as lifesaving infrastructure initially installed by the Kwara State government in response to repeated accidents that had claimed many innocent lives.
Alhaji Onikijipa who described the removal of the speed breakers as reckless and inconsiderate, called for adherence to safety measures during road projects.
A portion of the road showing removal of speed breaker
Joint community associations represented by Jamiu Sulaimon and Tajudeen Modupe, emphasized the need for urgent intervention from the Federal Government to prevent further tragedy, ensure safety of commuters and pedestrians.
The unions and residents threatened to mobilize their members nationwide and continue to stage daily or weekly protest until their demands are met.
The protesters who conducted themselves peacefully carried placards bearing various inscriptions including “Our lives matter at Oko olowo,” “We voted for peace and progress not for loss of lives,” and “We want temporary measures now.”
