Residents of Oko-Olowo and Ayelabowo communities of Ilorin South Local Government Area of Kwara State, under the aegis of Warafanahu Makana Aliyah Joint Community, have appealed to the Federal Government to construct a flyover at the Oko-Olowo junction on Ogbomoso-Jebba highway in Ilorin.

In a statement issued by the chairman, Warafanahu Makana Aliyah Joint Community, Mallam Sulyman Ayelabowo and the secretary, Ibrahim Yusuf Hajji, the community expressed sadness over the growing loss of lives to accidents in the axis.

“This appeal becomes imperative in view of many lives that have been lost because of various accidents at the junction. This situation is becoming worrisome and a recurring decimal to the extent that lives of pedestrians plying the area are no longer safe. This road is an important route for Nigerians, it serves as link between North Central states and South-West states, linking to Jebba, Mokwa, Abuja, Kogi State, Ogbomosho, Kishi, Saki, Oyo, Ibadan, Lagos, Kaiama, Ilesha Baruba and other different towns in Kwara, Oyo and Niger states.

“On November 24, 2023, an accident claimed 25 lives, 15 persons injured and property worth billions of naira lost. On December 16, 2023, another accident occurred involving a trailer and a bus which left many injured.

“Another ghastly accident occurred on Monday January 15, which involved a petroleum tanker carrying product, a tipper and motorcycle which later caught fire and resulted in many casualties,” the community said.

The community further appealed to the Kwara State government to approach the Federal Government in order to facilitate construction of the flyover at the junction.

“We have resolved to seek the intervention of the federal and state governments to help us in facilitating the quick intervention in terms of provision of flyover and other useful alternatives to prevent issue of accident at the junction. We will be glad if this request is given prompt attention,” the statement added.