Residents of Ogbomoso in Oyo State are urgently appealing to both the federal and state governments to undertake the dualization of the major trunk A road within the city. This plea comes in response to a spate of tragic road accidents in the area, claiming 18 lives within just one week.
The affected road, spanning approximately 7 to 8 kilometers and connecting Ogbomoso with cities in the southern and northern regions of the country, runs through Agric – Arinkinkin High School – Caretaker – Takie – Sabo and Aroje. The recent accidents have resulted in numerous fatalities and life-threatening injuries, including the loss of three traditional rulers from Oriire Local Government Area.
Among the incidents were fatal accidents in the Emaayo area, where three motorcyclists lost their lives, and at Sekona village, where a petrol tanker accident led to the tragic burning of nine individuals. Additionally, a trailer crushed the legs of a commercial motorcyclist and his passenger in the Caretaker/Ijeru Baptist Basic School area, while a heavily-loaded logging truck/timber lorry caused the death of another commercial motorcyclist when it lost control on Sekoni hill towards Takie Square.
Expressing their deep concern over the escalating casualties, residents are urging the government to take immediate action. They are specifically calling for the dualization of the road, emphasizing that this would reduce head-on collisions and enhance maneuverability for drivers during emergencies.
Mr. Idowu Ashifa, one of the residents, made a direct appeal to Governor Seyi Makinde, stating, “I appeal to Governor Seyi Makinde to come to our aid by dualizing this road from Agric to Aroje or Igbon. Only yesterday three traditional rulers died on the road. If the road is dualized, head-on collisions will reduce.”
Another resident, Michael Adegbosin, echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for a dual carriageway to minimize road mishaps. He further suggested that once the federal government completes the dual carriageway linking Ibadan to Ilorin through Oyo and Ogbomoso, the road should be returned to the Oyo State government for easier maintenance.
Residents also called for the construction of flyover bridges in strategic locations, such as Takie Square and Caretaker junction, to prevent accidents. They referenced Governor Makinde’s previous promise to construct a flyover at Takie and urged him to fulfill this commitment.
In the collective plea for intervention, residents are emphasizing the critical role that road dualization and infrastructure enhancements can play in averting further tragedies on this crucial transportation route.