Community leader in Abeokuta, Dr Ayo Ajasa, on Tuesday, urged the Ogun State government to install speed-breakers and other necessary safety measures to prevent further tragedies on roads.
Ajasa, who is the Chairman of Ajebo Road Housing Estate Community Development Association, CDA, made the call in a statement in reaction to rising cases of road mishap.
A Professor of Biochemistry at the Federal University of Agriculture in Abeokuta, FUNAAB, Oladipo Ademuyiwa, was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Kemta-Somorin road in Abeokuta on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the incident was one of several recorded on roads in the city recently, in addition to others involving trucks and other road users.
Ajasa explained that the incident at Kemta-Somorin could have been avoided if the necessary safety measures had been put in place.
He condemned the insensitivity of the state government to instal speed-breakers on the road, in soite of several requests made.
“Ajebo Road Housing Estate community at Kemta in Abeokuta is saddened by the tragic and avoidable loss of Professor Ademuyiwa.
“Professor Ademuyiwa fell victim to a reckless hit-and-run driver on Professor Wole Soyinka road within Kemta-Somorin road.
“This unfortunate incident has once again exposed the dire need for immediate government intervention to prevent further tragedies on this road.
“It is disheartening that in spite of repeated appeals to the Ogun State government and relevant agencies, no concrete action has been taken to install speed-breakers and other necessary safety measures on this road,” Ajasa said.
The community leader demanded immediate installation of speed-breakers along Professor Wole Soyinka road, installation of lorry barriers and clear traffic signage to caution motorists against reckless driving.
“It is unacceptable that a community of law-abiding citizens must suffer repeated accidents and near-fatal encounters, and now the loss of an esteemed professor, due to government’s inaction.
“Another accident indeed occurred within 24 hours of this tragic incident involving the professor, proving that this road remains a death trap,” he added. NAN
