Fanisi Urges Ododo to Order Urgent Review of Speed Bumps on Zango Road, Warns of Accident Risk
Lokoja, Kogi State — Dr. Fanisi Babatunde has appealed to Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, to urgently investigate the installation of speed bumps around the Shettima axis of Zango Road in Lokoja, warning that their current positioning could expose motorists to avoidable road accidents.
In an open letter addressed to the governor, Fanisi said he narrowly escaped a possible road crash at the location while travelling out of the state capital, an experience he described as sufficient reason for the authorities to examine the safety implications of the installation without delay.
He expressed concern that the speed bumps had been erected immediately after an uphill stretch of road, arguing that motorists approaching the elevated section might not anticipate the obstruction in time to slow down safely.
According to him, the sudden appearance of a speed bump beyond such a stretch could force drivers to brake abruptly, potentially resulting in loss of vehicle control, collisions involving approaching or following vehicles, and serious injuries or fatalities.
Fanisi acknowledged that speed bumps can serve as effective traffic-calming measures when properly designed and strategically located. However, he maintained that their safety depends on factors including visibility, stopping distance, road geometry and the conditions confronting motorists approaching the installation.
He questioned whether adequate technical assessments and professional engineering considerations had informed the construction of the speed bumps at the Shettima axis.
While acknowledging that he could be mistaken about the circumstances surrounding their installation, Fanisi called for an impartial technical assessment to establish whether the structures comply with applicable road safety requirements and whether their positioning is appropriate.
The writer also questioned the necessity of the installation, stating that, based on his observation, there was no school or other obvious public institution at the immediate location that would readily explain the need for the traffic-calming measure.
He urged the relevant authorities to make any technical assessment or safety justification for the installation available to the public, noting that a clear explanation would help establish the purpose of the intervention.
Calls for Immediate Government Intervention
Emphasising the need for preventive action, Fanisi warned that the authorities should not wait for a serious accident or loss of life before reviewing the situation.
He appealed to Governor Ododo to direct the Kogi State Ministry of Works, in collaboration with relevant road safety and traffic management authorities, to inspect the location and investigate the circumstances surrounding the installation of the speed bumps.
He specifically recommended that the structures be removed if a professional assessment establishes that their placement is unsafe and that they serve no demonstrable traffic-management purpose.
Where a genuine need for traffic calming is established, he advised that the authorities should consider a safer and technically appropriate alternative.
Fanisi further argued that the existing arrangement should not be allowed to remain unexamined while motorists continue to face what he considers a potential hazard.
Fanisi Describes Appeal as Constructive
The writer clarified that his intervention was not intended to discredit the state government or the officials responsible for road infrastructure, but to encourage prompt corrective action in the interest of public safety.
He said responsible governance requires not only the execution of public projects but also the willingness to review and correct decisions that may inadvertently put residents at risk.
Fanisi expressed hope that the Ministry of Works and other relevant agencies would give the complaint the necessary attention and act before the location becomes associated with preventable road crashes.
He stressed that road safety should not be compromised by avoidable engineering oversights or infrastructure interventions that have not been adequately assessed.
Concluding his appeal, Fanisi urged the governor to treat the matter as urgent, warning that early intervention could prevent a tragedy and spare families the pain of losing loved ones in avoidable accidents.
He expressed confidence that the Ododo administration would consider the concerns and take appropriate steps to protect motorists and other road users along Zango Road in Lokoja.