The House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to construct pedestrian bridges at strategic locations on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The resolution followed a motion moved by an All Progressives Party’s lawmaker representing Oluyole Federal Constituency, Tolulope Akande-Sadipe.
A statement by Akande-Sadipe’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr Olamilekan Olusada and made available to journalists on Thursday in Abuja, said the lawmaker moved the motion during plenary.
The motion highlighted the unprecedented growth of Ibadan which is now the third-largest city globally according to United Nations data.
According to her, this is in response to the critical safety concerns posed by the absence of pedestrian bridges on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Ms Akande-Sadipe urged the Federal Ministry of Works to prioritise the construction of pedestrian bridges in strategic locations along this vital route.
“The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, traversing highly populated sections of the city, has become an essential corridor for daily activities. However, the absence of pedestrian bridges has undervalued the safety of both pedestrians and drivers. Alarming rates of fatal accidents are recorded daily as people attempt to cross the highway to access schools, homes, workplaces, and markets,’’ she said.
Expressing deep concern, Ms Akande-Sadipe emphasised that in spite of ongoing safety advocacy, pedestrian bridges had been neglected during the construction of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
She noted that the highway had transformed into a `death trap.’
She explained that the motion recognised the importance of constructing pedestrian bridges at specific locations.
The locations, she said, includes the Technical University, Toll Gate in Ibadan, Félele, Sóka, Sanyo, Bólúwaji, Academy, Eléruku.
According to Ms Akande-Sadipe, these bridges are crucial to saving lives, reducing the sufferings of commuters, especially school children, and maintaining the economic viability of the highly populated areas.
She urged the Federal Ministry of Works to allocate funds for the construction of pedestrian bridges in the mentioned locations in the 2024 budget estimates.
She also urged the House Committee on Works and Appropriation to ensure strict compliance with this imperative safety measures.
NAN