Members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers and allied unions have taken to the streets to protest the removal of speed breakers on the Oko-Olowo Highway in Ilorin, Kwara State. The protesters claim that the removal of the speed breakers has led to a surge in fatal crashes on the highway, resulting in the loss of many lives.
The speed breakers were installed by the Kwara State Government to force motorists to reduce speed and prevent accidents. However, the Federal Government recently removed the speed breakers as part of its rehabilitation work on the road. Since then, there has been an increase in fatal crashes, with over 100 motorists dying in various auto crash incidents between January and June.
The protesters, led by the Chairman of the Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Alhaji Abdulrahman Olayinka Onikijipa, and the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Abdulrasaq Ariwoola, are demanding the immediate restoration of the speed breakers. They argue that the speed breakers were a vital safety mechanism that prevented accidents and saved lives.
The protesters are calling on the Federal Government to restore the speed breakers without delay and ensure that any future road work factors in proper safety features. They also want the government to hold accountable those who authorized the removal of the speed breakers without public consultation.
The protest highlights the need for the government to prioritize road safety and take measures to prevent accidents. The restoration of speed breakers on the Oko-Olowo Highway is crucial to saving lives and preventing further fatalities. The government must take immediate action to address the concerns of the transport unions and ensure that the highway is safe for all road users.
