Reps demand flyovers, pedestrian bridges on Kaduna highways as death toll rises

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives has called for urgent inclusion of flyovers and pedestrian bridges in the ongoing Kaduna Eastern Bye-Pass and Kaduna–Zaria Highway projects following rising fatalities along the routes
The resolution followed a motion moved during plenary on Tuesday by Hussaini Mohammed Jallo who raised concern over increasing road crashes and deaths on the corridors under construction by Dantata and Sawoe Construction Company
Jallo warned that the highways passing through densely populated communities such as Rigasa, Danmani Junction, Mando Motor Park, Unguwar Gwari, Rigachikun, Jaji and Kwarau Tasha have become increasingly dangerous due to the absence of safe pedestrian crossings
He noted that residents including schoolchildren, traders, market women and the elderly are forced to cross fast moving traffic daily exposing them to avoidable accidents and fatalities
Lawmakers observed that rapid population growth along the corridor has intensified human and vehicular movement making the highways high risk zones and increasing the danger for commuters
They expressed concern that ongoing construction without pedestrian infrastructure has worsened safety conditions describing parts of the roads as death traps
The House stressed that while the projects are key economic lifelines for Kaduna and surrounding areas safety must be prioritised to protect lives and ensure smooth traffic flow
After deliberation the House resolved to urge the Federal Ministry of Works to redesign sections of the highways to include flyovers and pedestrian bridges at critical points and to work with the Kaduna State Government to integrate safety infrastructure into federal road projects
It also called on the Federal Road Safety Corps and Kaduna State traffic authorities to intensify road safety awareness and provide temporary pedestrian crossings pending permanent solutions
The House Committee on Works and Legislative Compliance was mandated to inspect the affected highways and report back within four weeks for further legislative action