Reps call for safe roads around tertiary institutions

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, urged the Federal Ministry of Works to provide safe roads around tertiary institutions in the country to avert accidents.

They said that the road facilities sought were speed breakers, safety signs and pedestrian bridges, and should be put on major roads in the vicinity of the institutions.

The call followed a motion by Rep. Omosede Igbinedion (Edo-PDP) on the need to construct pedestrian bridge and speed breakers at the University of Benin axis of the Lagos-Benin highway, to forestall accidents.

Igbinedion had said that the fundamental duty of the Government, according to Section 14 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, was the security and welfare of Nigerians.

She expressed concern over the death of Miss Rita Awele, a student of University of Benin after she was allegedly knocked down by a patrol vehicle belonging to the Nigerian Army on July 19 in Benin.

She said that the incident took place on the Benin/Lagos highway, close to the main gate of the university.

Igbinedion said that the late Awele and her friend, Esther Olakpa, were on their way from a Catholic Chaplaincy, located within the school when the patrol vehicle knocked them down at about 10.30 a.m.

She said that the deceased, who was a second year student in the Department of Philosophy, died in spite of efforts to provide her medical attention, adding that her friend, Olakpa, survived after undergoing treatment.

Adopting the motion unanimously, the house urged the Federal Government to provide safety devices and structures on major roads around the University of Benin end of the highway.