Rep. Ayoola-Elegbeji Raises Alarm Over Safety Risks on Sagamu-Benin Expressway, Calls for Pedestrian Bridges
By Comfort Chukwukelue
A member of the House of Representatives, Princess (Dr.) Adesola Ayoola-Elegbeji, has called on the Federal Government to urgently address safety concerns along the Sagamu axis of the Sagamu–Benin Expressway by constructing pedestrian bridges and implementing traffic control measures.
Moving a motion on the floor of the House, the lawmaker representing the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State said the town of Sagamu serves as a major gateway linking different parts of the country. According to her, travellers heading toward Ibadan and other western routes as well as those travelling to the eastern region pass through the area.
She explained that the expressway, originally constructed about four decades ago, was built when Sagamu town was located mainly on one side of the road. However, the town has since expanded to both sides of the highway, forcing residents, traders and commuters to cross the busy expressway daily to access homes, businesses and markets.
Ayoola-Elegbeji noted that the ongoing rehabilitation of the Sagamu–Benin Expressway under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu is improving the road significantly, but warned that the smooth and motorable highway could lead to increased vehicle speed and potential accidents if safety structures are not introduced.
She particularly identified the Total Junction area in Sagamu as one of the most dangerous points along the corridor, describing it as a double junction where vehicles turn onto the expressway from both sides of the town without traffic control or pedestrian crossing facilities.
While acknowledging that fatalities in the area are currently limited, the lawmaker warned that the risk of accidents could rise sharply once the road rehabilitation is completed and traffic speed increases.
She therefore urged the Federal Government and road engineers to incorporate safety measures such as pedestrian bridges, traffic control systems and other protective infrastructure before the road project is completed and commissioned.
Meanwhile, Ayoola-Elegbeji also used the opportunity to advocate for increased female representation in Nigeria’s legislature, noting that women currently occupy only 17 seats in the 360-member House of Representatives.
Speaking in the spirit of International Women’s Day, she encouraged women to support one another by sharing their time, resources and talents to promote collective progress.
The lawmaker further called on political stakeholders to ensure that at least one woman represents each state in the National Assembly in future elections, stressing that greater female participation would strengthen advocacy for gender-related issues and national development.
