Mr Niyi Ijoko, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Irepodun Local Government chapter, has appealed to the Kwara Government to rehabilitate the Ilorin-Omu-Aran-Eruku highway to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

Ijoko made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Omu-Ara on Sunday. He said some failed portions of the highway had become death traps and required urgent attention, noting that the road was constructed about three decades ago.

He described the highway as vital and critical to both the state and the union, being the gateway to some neighbouring states.

The official regretted that the road had continued to witness preventable crashes lately as drivers were always faced with the daunting task of dodging pot holes which often resulted in head-on collisions.

He also urged the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to mobilise and channel available resources to ensure the rehabilitation of the notable bad portions.

He called on officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to intensify patrols of the highway in order to ensure full compliance with road traffic rules and regulation by road users.

He said that the Union was collaborating with some community leaders in towns along the highway to assist FERMA and FRSC and other stakeholders to reduce the incessant road crashes.

He added that the Union had also intensified its sensitisation to educate members on the need to drive with caution and ensure compliance with traffic rules and regulations at all times.

"We are not resting on our oars on our part as stakeholders in educating and reminding members of the need to drive carefully, especially on roads with identified bad and failed portions.''

The highway which transverse some major communities in Kwara South Senatorial District and regarded as federal road was presently in bad state and remained problematic to passengers and drivers plying it. (NAN)