In a move to address persistent road accidents on the Oko-Olowo Expressway, the Kwara State Government has announced plans to halt commercial activities at the T-junction connecting the Ilorin-Jebba Express Road. The decision aims to eliminate obstructions caused by trading and transport operations, which impede pedestrian and vehicular movement.

Hon. Lafia Aliyu Kora-Sabi, Commissioner for Transportation, disclosed this during an on-site assessment of the accident-prone area in Ilorin East Local Government on Monday. The visit followed a recent fatal crash, with Kora-Sabi expressing deep condolences to the families of the victims.

He outlined measures to prevent future tragedies, including the construction of an overhead pedestrian bridge at identified danger zones. The Commissioner was accompanied by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport, Hon. Ibrahim Orire, ministry directors, officials from the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), Kwara State Traffic Management Authority (KWARTMA), and bereaved families.

“We are here as a government concerning the frequent road accidents in this axis; we are deeply concerned about the incidence and want to commiserate with the families of the victims who lost their lives in the accident.

We equally assure you of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's resolve to continue to safeguard the lives of the people of Kwara, and we will make sure we fast-track efforts to construct speed-breakers at the most needed areas on this express road to bring an end to the frequent road accidents in this area”, he said.

On his part, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Chairman, Alh. AbdulRahman Olayinka Onikijipa who commended the quick response of the State government on the recent occurrence, said the transport unions have consistently warned their members on obedience to traffic regulations and transportation laws of the State, assuring the government of their continued cooperation in the best interest of citizens' safety.

He equally lauded the state and federal governments' initiatives on rural and urban road rehabilitation, which he said is bringing relief to the state's transport sectors. He appealed that the government should not delay actions on the matter.