The National Union of Road Transport Workers and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria have voiced strong concerns following the removal of speed breakers along the Oko-Olowo highway in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The bustling road, particularly at the Oko-Olowo junction, has become a hotspot for fatal crashes, with several lives reportedly lost due to unchecked speeding by heavy-duty trucks.
In a joint statement issued on Saturday, signed by Kwara NURTW Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrasak Ariwoola, and RTEAN Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Onikijipa, the unions condemned the removal of the speed control measures recently installed by the Kwara State Government.
“Since the speed breakers were removed by a contractor working on the road, we are seriously concerned about the safety of commuters along Oko-Olowo axis.
“We fear that this action may trigger a new wave of accidents and avoidable loss of lives on the road,” the statement said.
The transport bodies appealed to the federal government to step in promptly by reinstating the removed speed breakers and implementing additional safety measures to safeguard lives on the busy route.
