The Senate has called on the Federal Government to urgently construct a pedestrian overhead bridge with a motorcycle ramp at the Oko-Olowo Intersection on the Ilorin-Jebba Federal Highway to address escalating safety concerns.
This resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central, during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Senator Mustapha, citing Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended), emphasized the critical need for the bridge to prevent further loss of lives at the intersection, which connects the Northern and South-Western regions of Nigeria.
He described the Oko-Olowo Intersection as a vital yet perilous gateway for commuters and goods, pointing out the absence of essential safety infrastructure like a pedestrian bridge. He highlighted the alarming death toll at the intersection, noting that over 50 lives were lost between November 2023 and January 2024 alone, including a tragic incident in November that claimed 25 lives in one day.
“This intersection has become a deadly trap for pedestrians and motorists alike,” Senator Mustapha said. “Despite efforts by the Kwara State Government, under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to seek federal intervention, no tangible progress has been made to address this crisis.”
The Senator urged the Federal Ministry of Works to prioritize the construction of the pedestrian bridge and motorcycle ramp as part of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Ilorin-Jebba Federal Highway. He also called on the Senate Committee on Works to assess the situation and report back within two weeks with actionable recommendations.
Additionally, Senator Mustapha proposed the inclusion of an overhead flyover at the intersection in the 2025 Budget as a permanent solution to the safety challenges.
Responding to the motion, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Senator Mustapha for raising the critical issue and expressed hope that the Federal Ministry of Works would act swiftly to prevent further tragedies.
The Senate unanimously adopted the resolutions, urging the Federal Government to commence the construction of the pedestrian bridge and ramp immediately while also prioritizing long-term safety measures at the Oko-Olowo Intersection.
