Call for Urgent Action on Abuja-Okene Expressway Accidents
Lokoja, Nigeria – February 23, 2025 – The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has urged the Federal Government (FG) and the Kogi State Government to take immediate action to address the rising number of accidents along the Abuja-Okene Expressway, particularly in the Felele area.
The union expressed deep concern over the frequent crashes involving articulated trucks, fuel tankers, and other heavy-duty vehicles along the critical highway. The increasing rate of road mishaps in the region has led to numerous fatalities, injuries, and destruction of property, posing a severe threat to students, staff, and residents in the vicinity.
In a statement issued on Saturday, ASUU emphasized the urgent need for proactive measures to enhance road safety in the affected corridor. “The Abuja-Okene Expressway, particularly the Felele stretch, has become a death trap due to reckless driving, poor road maintenance, and lack of enforcement of speed limits,” the union stated.
Call for Government Intervention ASUU has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Kogi State Government to prioritize the safety of road users by implementing the following measures:
Strict enforcement of speed limits, especially for articulated trucks and fuel tankers.
Regular maintenance and expansion of the expressway to accommodate increasing vehicular movement.
Installation of pedestrian bridges or speed breakers in high-risk areas.
Stronger oversight on the operations of haulage companies to prevent reckless driving and overloading.
Residents Express Concerns Local residents and students have also voiced their fears over the persistent accidents, which have claimed multiple lives in recent years. “We live in constant fear of being victims of these crashes. The authorities must act now before more lives are lost,” said a student from FUL.
In recent months, several tragic accidents have occurred along the expressway, raising alarm over the need for immediate intervention. Authorities have been urged to ensure swift policy implementation to prevent further tragedies.
ASUU and concerned citizens continue to appeal for government attention to transform the Abuja-Okene Expressway into a safer passage for all road users.
