Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, a Federal lawmaker has urged the Federal Government to look into ameliorative measures at ensuring that the Lagos-Ibadan express road is no longer a death trap.
In a copy of the petition she presented before the house from Concerned Youth for Welfarism during plenary, Akande-Sadipe noted that constructing pedestrian bridges is the way to go as lives will be saved and economic interactions of the people would also improve.
“I am convinced that there is a need to construct pedestrian bridges along this expressway to save lives, reduce sufferings of the people, improve economic interactions from both sides of the expressway, and so on”, she said
The Oyo lawmaker pointed out five strategic locations where the pedestrian bridges should be which are;
-two bridges between Muslim and Ọlọ́hun-Ṣògo, Ìbàdàn;
- two Bridges between Ọlọ́hun-Ṣògo and Ọ̀rẹ́-Méjì Bridges;
-Three Bridges between Ọ̀rẹ́-Méjì and Ìwó Road;
-Three Bridges between Ìwó Road and General Gas’ Bridge; and
-Five Bridges between Generate Gas and Ọ̀jọ́ọ.
She pointed out that the construction of these pedestrian bridges along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway within the metropolis of Ibadan in Oyo State would facilitate Nigeria’s population growth and economic development
According to her, Nigeria’s population growth and economic development require improved transportation and sports infrastructure, through investments in roads, railways, aviation, shipping, and inland waterways.
But unfortunately, she says the stakeholders who ought to take authoritative action to save lives have been ignoring the ongoing advocacy for pedestrian bridges
The Oluyole Federal Constituency representative however noted that Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is key for effective highway construction planning.
She added that aside the frequent deaths attributed to the current state of the road which could have been avoided if an EIA had been posted, the population increase has also spilled into some parts of Ibadan such that there is a major need to cross the highway for access to schools, homes, places of employment, and markets among others.
Akande-Sadipe, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government and the leadership of the House of Representatives to ensure immediate construction of pedestrian bridges along Technical University; Toll Gate, Ibadan; Fẹ́lẹ̀lẹ̀, Ìbàdàn; Sókà, the Ìbàdàn; Sanyo, Ìbàdàn; Bólúwají, Ìbàdàn; Academy; and Eléruku.
In her words, “I urged the House to, as a matter of urgency call on the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to ensure it either compels the contractor to commence the construction of pedestrian bridges at the noted locations if already in the current scope of work, or to use any emergency means to effect a variation on the existing contract to accommodate same”.
She also urged the Honourable Minister and the Committee on Works to urgently intervene.
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