A labour leader in Kogi state, Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, has called on state and federal government to finding lasting solutions to the recurring accidents on Felele highway in Lokoja.
Reacting to the recent accident that claimed the lives of Federal University Lokoja (FUL) students, Comrade Opaluwa, who is also a member of the Road Users Development Network of Nigeria (aka Traffic Update Family), said it is high time authorities take bold, practical steps to halt the continued bloodshed on the road.
Speaking with Kogi Reports on telephone, Comrade Opaluwa, who is Vice Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Kogi State, said the ministry of works at both state and federal levels should engage experts on how best to mitigate excessive speed by vehicles plying the road on a daily basis.
He said the speed with which trucks, tankers and commuter buses move on the highway can best be described as reckless.
He questioned the roles of uniformed officials on the highway, demanding that they prioritize managing traffic over revenue generation.
“Revenue collection should be banned completely from the high way. Revenue collection should not be prioritized above the security and welfare of citizens.
The labour leader also called for construction of multiple pedestrian bridges across the road to reduce the risk of getting knocked down when pedestrians are crossing the road. He said the bridges should be around Kogi State Polytechnic, Felele bus stop and University area.
He also called for construction of a major flyover/ overpass bridge at the Kogi International Market.
“Also, construction of bypass will help divert vehicular movements from the ever busy road. With bypass, only vehicles and pedestrians who have business along the long stretch of the Abuja-Lokoja-Okene highway will ply the areas populated by residents.
“The ministry of works should take another look at the design of the road and make corrections where necessary,” he said.
Comrade Opaluwa said the best way to go is to find solutions to the problems as soon as possible rather than wait for another accident to occur.
