Lives Lost at Okolowo Community Renews call for speed breakers, Pedestrian bridge

 

 

Lives lost as Okolowo community renews call for speed breakers, pedestrian bridge

 

 

Concerned residents of Oko Olowo community in Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State have renewed their appeal to the Federal Government to approve the erection of speed breakers on the Okolowo Expressway, following recurring accidents that have claimed lives in the area.

 

At a stakeholders’ meeting held yesterday at the Federal Ministry of Works office, Ilorin, representatives of the Kwara State Government, the Elite Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and community leaders engaged the Controller of Works, Engr. Gana Zhitsu, on urgent measures to avert further tragedies.

 

The meeting resolved that only the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, has the authority to approve the construction of speed breakers or a pedestrian bridge on the highway. Engr. Zhitsu stressed that any construction carried out without such approval would be considered illegal, with contractors held responsible.

 

Residents recalled that the Kwara State Ministry of Works had previously installed speed breakers along the stretch, which helped reduce accidents. However, they were later removed by federal authorities over procedural concerns, particularly the absence of ministerial approval.

 

Speaking at the meeting, Engr. M.A. Akanbi, Director at the Kwara State Ministry of Works, who represented Commissioner Engr. Abdulquawiy Olododo, urged closer collaboration between federal and state agencies to address what he described as “a matter of life and death.” He noted that the state had earlier written to the Federal Ministry requesting both speed breakers and a pedestrian bridge.

 

Community representatives also recounted the tragic toll of frequent accidents on the highway, urging Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Senator Saliu Mustapha (Kwara Central), Senator Sadiq Umar (Kwara North), and Hon. Yinka Aluko (Ilorin East/ South Federal Constituency) to lobby the Minister for expedited approval.

 

Comrade Mashood Lanrey Osho, Deputy Coordinator of ENetSuD, who facilitated the meeting, stressed the urgency of the situation. He said: “The community cannot continue to count avoidable deaths. We call on our leaders to engage the Minister and, if possible, include the project in their constituency intervention.”

 

Alhaji Laaro Asalapa, who represented the Chairman of the Road Transport Association and TUC in Kwara, Alhaji Olayinka Onikijipa, commended both ministries, ENetSuD, and the community for their commitment to resolving the crisis.

 

The community and transport unions pledged to sustain lobbying efforts until federal approval is secured for the installation of speed breakers or a pedestrian bridge as a palliative measure.