Olu Samuel

An Economist and policy analyst, Mr Ukwunetu Samuel Ali, has appealed to the Kogi state government to construct a by-pass to mitigate the recurring auto crashes along Felele Highway in Lokoja that usually claim many lives.

Ali gave the advice in a letter he addressed to Kogi Governor, Alh. Ahmed Ododo, a copy made available to our Correspondent on Wednesday in Lokoja.

The appeal was made following Monday’s ugly auto crash involving an articulated vehicle and a shuttle bus of Federal University Lokoja (FUL), which claimed seven lives, including five students while another sustained serious injuries.

Ali appealed to the federal and state to collaborate with the federal government to build a bypass route connecting the NNPC fueling station in Felele to the Nataco intersection at the International Market in Lokoja.

“Your Excellency, the incessant accidents along Felele highway, has always claimed many lives.

“The recent incident that killed some FUL students has caused a lot of devastation to many, not only to their immediate families and the university community.

“This Felele highway is one of the main highways that connects the Southwest and South-South to the northern region of the country.

“This has contributed to the road’s constant congestion and has resulted in numerous accidents due to minor mistakes made by motorists,” he said.

According to him, the recurrence accidents, which had claimed many lives in the past, prompted the construction of a speed breaker between the FUL main campus and Kogi State Polytechnic main gate.

He, however noted that despite this effort, the accident had continued unabated, causing anger among residents of the area and the neighborhood higher institutions whose students were frequently among the victims.

“Your Excellency, sir, after carefully listening to the steps you intend to take to prevent this unpleasant situation—including building pedestrian bridges and establishing checkpoints with officers strategically placed to control vehicle speed on the road. I find it to be a very positive development.

“However, because of the issues with articulated vehicle brake failure, it may not provide the state with sufficient measures to prevent further accidents along the highway.

“I, therefore recommended that the state government should work with the federal government to build a by-pass route connecting the NNPC fueling station in Felele to the Nataco intersection at Lokoja Int’l Market

“If this by-pass is built, only small vehicles will be permitted to use it.

“As an immediate step, a bus stop should be built along the axis where accidents frequently occur.

“The bus stop should not be too close to the highway so that tricycles and minibuses can park away from the roadside.

“This measures will avoid accidents that may occur as a result of parking along the highway to drop off passengers”.

He further appealed to the governor to critically look into the recommendations for consideration permanent measures to prevent incessant accidents along the highway.

Ali expressed his condolences to the Kogi government and the University Community in Lokoja regarding the tragic tragedy.

He prayed the Almighty God to grant their soul eternal rest and provide the family and the university the strength to absorb the loss.