Senate Urges Federal Government to Build Pedestrian Bridge at Ilorin-Jebba Highway
The Senate has called on the federal government to urgently construct a pedestrian bridge with a motorcycle ramp at the Oko-Olowo intersection along the Ilorin-Jebba federal highway, following concerns over the rising number of fatalities in the area.
Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC, Kwara Central) moved the motion, highlighting that over 50 lives were lost between November 2023 and January 2024 alone at this dangerous intersection.
Meanwhile, he emphasized that the Oko-Olowo intersection has become a deadly trap for both pedestrians and motorists, particularly given its role as a key link between the Northern and South-Western regions of the country. While the Kwara State Government, under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has sought federal intervention, no substantial progress has been made to resolve the crisis. Mustapha argued that the construction of the pedestrian bridge and ramp is essential to prevent further tragic losses of life.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Senator Mustapha for raising the issue and expressed hope that the Federal Ministry of Works would act swiftly to address the problem. Akpabio called for prompt action to prevent any further tragedies at the intersection, which continues to claim lives due to its lack of proper infrastructure for pedestrians and motorcycles.
The Senate unanimously passed the resolution urging the federal government to begin the construction of the pedestrian bridge and ramp without delay. The lawmakers also called for the implementation of long-term safety measures at the Oko-Olowo intersection to protect the lives of all road users in the area.