Senator Mustapha Moves Motion for Construction of Pedestrian Bridge at Oko-Olowo Intersection

The lawmaker representing Kwara Central in the National Assembly, Senator Saliu Mustapha, has moved a motion under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended), calling for the urgent construction of a pedestrian overhead bridge with a motorcycle ramp at the Oko-Olowo Intersection on the Ilorin-Jebba Federal Highway.

Senator Mustapha, who introduced this motion during the plenary session on Tuesday, explained that the Oko-Olowo Intersection, located between Ilorin South and West Local Government Areas of Kwara State, serves as a crucial gateway for the movement of goods and people between the Northern and South-Western States of Nigeria.

He noted that the intersection lacks essential safety features, such as a pedestrian overhead bridge, making it extremely hazardous for pedestrians crossing the highway.

“This deficiency has turned the intersection into a deadly trap for both pedestrians and motorists, resulting in frequent fatalities and property damage. Between November 2023 and January 2024 alone, over 50 lives were lost at this spot, with the most tragic incident claiming 25 lives in a single event in November 2023.”

“Further concerned that these accidents have become a daily ordeal, leading to increased fatalities and property damage at the intersection, I note that this dangerous trend persists despite multiple attempts by the Kwara State Government, under Governor AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq, to address the issue with the Honourable Minister of Works. So far, these efforts have not resulted in any significant resolution to the crisis at this intersection,” he added.

The Kwara lawmaker urged the Senate to resolve to urge the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, to include the construction of the pedestrian bridge and motorcycle ramp as part of the ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the Ilorin-Jebba Federal Highway and to urgently commence its construction to prevent further loss of lives and ensure public safety.

He also called on the Senate Committee on Works to liaise with the Federal Ministry of Works and other relevant agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps, to assess the current situation at the Oko-Olowo Intersection and report back to the Senate within two weeks with recommendations for immediate action.

As a long-term solution, Senator Mustapha urged the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, to consider the construction of an overhead flyover and include it in the 2025 Budget as part of the ongoing efforts to rehabilitate the Ilorin-Jebba Federal Highway.

While responding to the motion, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio thanked Senator Saliu Mustapha for bringing the issue to the public’s attention.

He expressed hope that once the Federal Ministry of Works is communicated with the Senate’s resolution, they will immediately swing into action to avert further loss of lives and ensure the safety of all road users.

The Senate, after deliberations, unanimously adopted all three resolutions, urging the Federal Government to prioritize the construction of the pedestrian bridge, motorcycle ramp, and other safety measures at the Oko-Olowo Intersection.