Muslim Graduates of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, Ondo state (MUSGAU) has written to the Governor of the state, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on some measures that could be adopted to forestall cases of accidents on the Akungba-Ikare highway.
MUSGAU in a letter of condolence to the governor which was made available to The Precision NG by its president, AbdulGafar Bello, said the body is worried about the incessant accidents, noting that all hands must be on the deck to avoid a repeat.
Recall that on Friday, January 22, 2021, a Dangote Truck, after a brake failure killed many passersby including students and indigenes of the university community.
The letter read in part:
“In the vein of finding lasting solutions to the Ikare-Akungba highway accidents, as well as fostering peace between Akoko communities and the visiting heavy duty drivers, Your Excellency, We, the Muslim Graduates of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko, would like to propose to the Ondo state government under the leadership of your Excellency and the already existing Committee the following:
- To, for now, keep in place the already erected overhead barricade somewhere after the military checkpost. This is presently preventing heavy-duty vehicles from plying the Akungba-Ikare road and had since help keep the Akungba Akoko youths calm and preventing any uproar.
- That the high hill be leveled or the road be dualized as seen with the then Oke Alabojuto of Ikare Akoko under your present administration. This shall then warrant the removal of barricade as the road will then be more safe for lorries and heavy trucks.
- That the FRSC officials shall be requested to station very close to the school gate and other notable places within the community. This will prevent over-speeding and reckless driving.
- That the two popular Akungba Akoko markets (Ibaka and Okusa) should be relocated from the road sides to the then caring heart neighborhood market constructed by the last administration.
- That the University should be made to provide a spacious bus-stop/stand distanced from the roadside for its staff, students, and visitors to alight or drop off.
- That more strict restrictions should be placed on the roadside; waiting, hawking, or parking at least one kilometer to the school’s main gate and few meters off the highway throughout the Akoko Community as this is seen in communities like, Akungba Akoko, Ikare Akoko, Iwaro Oka, Oba Akoko and more.
- That the Ondo State government shall demand the Ministry of Works and Housing under Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola to approve the rehabilitation of Isua-Oka Roads, so as to reduce the rate at which lorries ply Akungba-Ikare road as the present Isua-Oka road is bad.
“We believe that these amongst many other solutions shall help prevent such or similar reoccurrences by Allah’s mercy, and also help sustain the constitutional rights of the drivers who really have the need to ply the Akungba-Ikare highway presently barricaded.
“MUSGAU shall ever be available for further engagements should the need to further engage us on this matter or any other that has to do with the well-being and development of our dear alma mater, Ondo State and Nigeria in general,” the letter read.
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