Jubilee Bridge claims three lives in one month

Pedestrians Want Footbridge, Speed Breakers

As good as the Abule-Egba Jubilee Bridge initiative was, it has now become a serious threat to pedestrians and other road users around that neigbourhood. The tremendous transformation the area has witnessed since it was commissioned, and the permanent solution to the perennial traffic jam at the Abule-Egba/Agege junction, notwithstanding, it has also brought sorrow to some families as, at least three people have been killed by fast moving vehicles while crossing the road.

Reports have it that two females- a pupil and a young lady (who went to make her hair) were killed by hit-and-run drivers at the Abule-Egba Bus Stop, while a middle-aged man was killed at the Oja-Oba/Gatankowa Market end, within the last month.

The grief-stricken pedestrians are now alarmed at the manner, which motorists maneuver their way on the bridge while on top speed, and without for them and other road users.
Consequently, some pedestrians have resorted to trekking to under the bridge, from the bus stop, before attempting to cross the road.

In doing this, which is what they consider safe, they have to cover a distance of about 150 metres from the bus stop. This distance is the reason some pedestrians still prefer to risk crossing the road in order to safe time.

For others, crossing over at Oja-Oba Junction remains their best bet, even as most pedestrians now shun the bus stop for alternative locations, in their bid to get to other sides of the road.

The Guardian observed that commercial activities around the bus stop has also been affected, as the volume of people moving through the area, both during the day and at night has shifted to other bus stops like Awori, U-turn and other areas where they consider safe.

A bread vendor, Mrs. Oladunni Alao, told The Guardian the axis is becoming more dangerous as vehicles, especially commuter buses always find it difficult to slow down for pedestrians.

“The way and manner which the second victim died was pathetic. She just finished making her hair and was going home when she was hit, she died instantly. A photograph of her body in the pool of her blood was posted on the social media instantly. So, I would advise pedestrians to walk up to under the bridge, or move towards Awori bus stop before attempting to cross.

“It is sad that government did not make any provision for footbridge, road bumps or zebra crossing in order to safe the lives of road users. We were overjoyed when the bridged was completed, but we didn’t envisage it would be as dangerous as this to our existence. Government should find an urgent solution now before the bridge claims another life,” she said.James Odey, a textile trader, who witnessed one of the accidents, said provision should have been made for a pedestrian bridge the moment the idea of constructing the bridge was mooted.

“The only thing for now is to devise a means of ensuring the safety of pedestrians. The plight of pedestrians, especially the aged, children, nursing mothers and pregnant women has been aggravated. The situation is still better in the day, but at night, people can easily be deceived by oncoming vehicles, especially when one is unsure if the vehicle is going on, or under the bridge.

“The issue needs urgent attention as pedestrians are shunning the bridge. What should have given us relief is now causing pain. Abule-Egba is a popular bus stop, there must efforts to ease our pains.”