Lawmakers in Kogi State House of Assembly have urged the State Government to create alternative routes to the two higher institutions within the state capital to avert further loss of lives within the Felele-Crusher highway in Lokoja.
In a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Bin Ebaiya Shehu Tijani calling on the State Government to take measures that will mitigate the continued occurrence of vehicular accidents along Felele-Crusher highway. He prayed that the State government should increase measures that would help in mitigating the mishaps, particularly increment in the number of Vehicles – Controlling law enforcement officers.
Recalling what happened that led to the closure of Federal University Lokoja following the death of some students, Hon. Tijani said “On Monday, 17th February, 2025 at about the close of work for that day, an accident occurred along Felele Crusher Road which claimed the lives of students of Federal University Lokoja and the driver of the shuttle conveying them.
” Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja and Federal University Lokoja are all institutions of learning located along that route. Before this time, series of accidents claiming lives of students, residents and other road users have occurred along the same highway.
“if something reasonable is not done to nip the situation in the bud, the highway which has already constituted a threat to the existence of the higher institutions along that highway, will further worsen the situation.
” Kogi State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor has shown persistent concern and worry over incidences claiming the lives of citizens and road users.
” It has become imperative that the state legislature do add its voice to the worrying trend arising from constant accidents along the Felele Crusher highway”
The Lawmaker, however, prayed that the State Government do increase the number of bumps and other speed limiting measures on the road to ensure the situation is minimized.
Other prayers of the lawmaker reads” A letter of condolence be sent to the management of Federal University Lokoja over the loss of lives in that accident, while also commending them for the proactive steps taken to forestall breakdown of law and order in the institution.
“A letter of commendation be sent to the Executive under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for the swift decision to bring about a lasting solution to the problem by setting up a committee that would examine the remote and immediate causes of the accident and make appropriate recommendations.
In his contribution, Member representing Ajaokuta State Constituency , Hon. Abu Onoru-Oiza Jibrin described the motion as timely, noting that the House should expedite action to avert further loss of lives on that road.
The Deputy Speaker and Member representing Ibaji State Constituency, Hon Comfort Ojoma Nwochiola Egwaba while thanking the mover of the motion, described the incessant death on Felele-Crusher Road as very worrisome.
“We can’t continue to watch the lives of our youths to keep going down on that road. I am a mother, we should ask ourselves if it is our own children, are we going to keep quiet? It reoccurrence is not something we should accept.
” I am seconding the prayers where the State Government pay an on the spot visit to that road. The loss of innocent lives on that road is what the State Government should address. The Government should come up with a speedy action to reduce or stop the reoccurrence of this sad incident”.
Also speaking, Hon. Seyi Bello who is Member representing Kabba Bunu State Constituency while aligning himself with the prayers of the motion ,added that the State Government should construct pedestrian bridges around all the higher institutions in Lokoja.
He urged the State Government to collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Corps to ensure the safety of pedestrians plying the road.
The lawmaker also suggested that the State Government should ban the movement of heavy duty vehicles and trucks from plying the road during the day time, stressing that, such has been implemented in other states which over the years have averted casualties.
In his ruling, the Speaker of the House Rt. Hon. Umar Yusuf urged the State Government to create alternative routes to the two higher institutions within Felele- Crusher axis.
The House also resolved that the community leaders within Felele-Crusher Road should think outside the box by looking at the spiritual aspect to ascertain the frequent causes of accidents within that route.
The Speaker also pleaded with the School management to reconsider reopening the School for academic activities.
MOTION OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPOPRTANCE CALLING ON THESTATE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE MEASURES THAT WILL MITIGATETHE CONTINUED OCCURRENCE OF VEHICULAR ACCIODENTSALONG FELELE-CRUSHER HIGHWAY
Aware that on Monday, 17th February, 2025 at about the close of work for that day, an accident occurred along Felele-Crusher road which claimed the lives of six students of Federal University Lokoja and the driver of the shuttle conveying them.
Further aware that Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Federal University Lokoja are all institutions of learning located along that route.
Informed that before this time, series of accidents claiming lives of students, residents and other road users have occurred along the same highway.
Concerned that if something reasonable is not done to nip the situation in the bud, the highway which has already constituted a threat to the existence of of the higher institutions along that highway, will further worsen.
Further informed that Kogi State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor has shown persistent concern and worry over incidences claiming the lives of citizens and road users, it has become imperative that the state legislature do add its voice to the worrying trend arising from constant accidents along the Felele-Crusher highway.
The Rt. Hon Speaker and Honourable colleagues, it is on the strength of the foregoing that I rise with profound concern, to request this August Assembly do resolve as follows:
PRAYERS
1. That a minute’s silence be observed in honour of the deceased in the Monday 17th February, 2025 accident.
2. That the State government do increase measures that would help in mitigating the mnishap, particularly increment in the number of vehicle – controlling law enforcement officers.
3. That government do increase the number of bumps and other speed limiting measures on the road to ensure the situation is minimized.
4. That government do carry out thorough investigation of the matter to unravel the remote and immediate causes of the dastardly occurrence so as to nip it in the bud.
5. That a letter of condolence be sent to the management of Federal University Lokoja over the loss of lives in that accident, while also commending them for the proactive steps taken to forestall breakdown of law and order in the instituition.
6. That a letter of commendation be sent to the Executive under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for the swift decision to bring about a lasting solution to the problem by setting up a committee that would examine the remote and immediate causes of the accident and make appropriaterecommendations.
I so move!
Dated this day, Tuesday March 4th, 2025.
HON BIN-EBAIYA SHEHU TIJANI
MEMBER REPRESENTING LOKOJA I STATE CONSTITUENCY