The Convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has called on governments at all levels to rehabilitate the deplorable road leading to Lisa Village, the site of the Bellview Plane Crash of 2005, and clear the bush that has overtaken the crash memorial site.

Speaking against the backdrop of developments marking 20 years since the tragic incident, he lamented the poor condition of the access road and the neglect of the crash site, where 117 passengers lost their lives, now covered in weeds and largely forgotten.

“It is unfortunate that twenty years after one of the darkest moments in our aviation history, Lisa Village, which should be a national monument of remembrance, has been left in disrepair. The road leading to the site is almost impassable, and the graves of our compatriots are being swallowed by bushes,” Showunmi said.

He called on the Federal Ministry of Works and the Ogun State Government to collaborate in fixing the Lisa Road and restoring the memorial site to a dignified state worthy of national respect.

“We cannot continue to treat sites of national tragedy with such disregard. The victims of the Bellview crash deserve honour, not abandonment.

The government must take responsibility by clearing the area, paving the road, and ensuring the place is preserved as a heritage site for reflection and learning,” he added.

Showunmi further urged the government to partner with aviation stakeholders, local communities, and civil society to develop Lisa into a proper memorial and research site that reflects Nigeria’s commitment to safety, remembrance, and compassion.

“Let Lisa not remain a symbol of neglect, but a place that reminds us of the value of human life and the need for continuous improvement in our systems,” he added.

The Guardian had earlier reported that communities in Ogun State are preparing to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Bellview Airlines crash, which claimed 117 lives in Lisa village, Ifo Local Government Area, on 22 October 2005.

The Ifesowapo Consultative Forum, a coalition of 32 communities surrounding Lisa, announced the plans during a strategic meeting of representatives, outlining activities designed to honour the victims and reflect on the lessons of the disaster.

According to the Forum’s Chairman, Dr Fola Abati, the anniversary will feature inter-religious prayers, an aviation safety lecture, and welfare outreach for families of the deceased. He said government officials, aviation experts, and members of the international community are expected to attend, with the event also being live-streamed to allow broader participation.

“The 20th Memorial Anniversary is not merely about looking back with sorrow,” Dr Abati said. “It is about using history to inspire progress. We owe it to the victims, their families, and to ourselves to ensure that Lisa is not remembered only for tragedy, but for resilience and renewal.”