Paschal Emeka, Abuja
The lawmaker representing Ovia South West/Ovia North East of Edo State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dennis Idahosa has called for the construction of a pedestrian bridge along the eve-busy Benin-Ore-Lagos expressway by Okada Junction.
Hon. Idahosa made the call on Wednesday at plenary when he moved a motion of urgent public importance on the Need to Construct a Pedestrian Bridge on the Benin-Ore-Lagos Road by Okada Junction.
According to Hon. Idahosa, “the Benin-Ore-Lagos express road is one of the busiest highways in Nigeria with a high volume of vehicles connecting the Southwest to the Southeast, North and South-south zones of the country, the road host several communities and towns among the towns is Okada.
“Also note that the road connecting Okada town, Iguobazuwa communities, and Benin City on the expressway are a popular Okada Junction, a hub for commercial buses and traders running through over 15 minutes of pedestrian and commercial activities.
“The lives of Nigerians who go about their daily activities on the Okada junction are
endangered by the absence of a pedestrian fly-over, thus resulting in the loss of lives.
“Also, aware that residents have continually made a public outcry to the government to construct a pedestrian bridge at Okada junction to avert accidents and loss of lives.
“Worried that apart from the dangers to which human lives are exposed, another challenge is that the non-availability of pedestrian bridges discourages residents from hustling for their daily economic activities.
“Also, worried that school children, traders, and workers have been crushed to death and injured in their attempt to cross the express road.
The House therefore resolved to urge the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to immediately embark on the construction of a Pedestrian bridge across the expressway of Okada junction on the Benin-Ore-Lagos Road, Edo State to save the lives of Nigerians who are forced to run across the highway to go about their various daily activities and mandate the Committees on Works and Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance