From Joseph Amedu, Lokojs
The leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities , Federal University Lokoja, chapter, has urged President Tinubu to urgently take actions that will prevent recurrence of the incessant articulated vehicles accident along the Federal University corridor of the Okene- Abuja expressway.
This is as, the Union has commiserated with the Management, families of the deceased students, their colleagues and the entire University community over the loss of five students in the ghastly accident that occurred on Monday 17th January, 2025.
Chairman of Asuu- Ful, Dr. Joshua Silas told Journalists in Lokoja at the weekend, that the Union is grieved by the terrible untimely death of their beloved students, in an accident by a heavy-duty vehicle which crushed a mini-bus transporting students to the University.
The statement indicated that the deaths of these young, promising lives is a heartbreaking tragedy, as their thoughts and prayers are with their families at this terrible time.
The ASUU- chairman assured that the Union stands in solidarity with the whole student body as they mourn the death of their colleagues.
He lamented that this accident is not the first time that students and members of the university community have met such awful ends on this treacherous highway, stressing that the frequency of its occurrence is of grave concern and requires immediate action from all relevant stakeholders.
According to him ” it is clear that a lack of appropriate infrastructure, including student hostels and staff quarters on university grounds, forces a large number of students and staff to commute everyday over this perilous roadway, exposing them to unnecessary dangers.
“In view of this repeated tragedy, ASUU-FUL urges both the Kogi State Government and the
Federal Government of Nigeria to work with the university Management on finding long-term solutions to this problem.
“We demand for immediate construction of Student Hostels and Staff Quarters as Many students and staff are compelled to live off-campus due to insufficient housing at the institution. The construction of hostels and staff quarters will dramatically reduce the number of individuals who commute every day, lowering their exposure to traffic risks.
” Enhancement of Security on Campus to Improve campus security would not only make the learning environment safer, but, it will also forestall the danger of abduction and other criminal activity on campus. This will make living on-campus more attractive.
“Construction of a Dedicated Truck Lane or Bypass on the Abuja-Lagos highway which is one of the country’s busiest and highest-risk routes. We encourage the government to designate a separate lane for heavy-duty vehicles or build a bypass to move truck traffic
away from important commuter routes and opening a Road through the University to Link Felele and Agbaja road.
“This will help decongest traffic on the highway and provide a safer commuting route for students and staff. Regular Enforcement of Road Safety Measures by the government, in collaboration
with appropriate agencies should be stepped up by road safety enforcement officers who shall ensure all heavy-duty
trucks follow all applicable laws to avoid incidents of this sort” He solicited.
While reiterating that the safety and well-being of students and faculty members must be prioritized, the ASUU boss urge President Tinubu as the visitor of the University to commence immediate action to prevent future avoidable deaths on the students.
