Sequel to the auto crash that occurred in Iworoko Ekiti on Monday, causing the death of a commercial motorcyclist and displacement of scores of residents, the Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has condoled with the town, promising to take actions that would stem recurrent motor accidents in the community.
As part of the corrective measures to curtail the incident, Governor Oyebanji ordered temporary relocation of the residents of the affected place and the driver union’s motor park located within the vicinity of the hotspot.
A heavily loaded truck plying Ifaki-Iworoko-Ado Ekiti dual carriage way, had on that day lost control and rammed into some buildings on the way, getting a middle aged Okada rider killed with many traders and residents dislodged after their houses were reduced to relics.
Speaking during the visit to the palace of Alawaroko of Iworoko Ekiti and the troubled spot, on Wednesday, Governor Oyebanji, represented by his Deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, said the government was deeply touched by the victim’s death and shared from the pains of those whose property were destroyed.
Oyebanji disclosed that the government would this time move away from cosmetic approach to offering permanent solutions to the persistent auto crash in the heart of the town and the attendant deaths and loss of property.
The governor urged the community to come up with a proposal on how the matter could be resolved, while also hinting on the need to take painful and hard decisions that would stamp out unwarranted carnages of innocent souls in the community.
Having a reminiscence of the sordid records, Governor Oyebanji bemoaned that a total of 18 people were killed at the spot in 2019, which attracted the federal government to deploy the then Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to visit the state and the spot.
“On behalf of the Governor, Biodun Oyebanji and the good people of Ekiti State, we commiserate with you on this terrible incident Our governor had always said he is not elected to mourn over the people, but to make their lives better. The governor is deeply touched by this avoidable incident.
“Nobody can question God, but we have to help ourselves. We know that mounting of bumps across this sharp bend and concrete along the road sides will help. Traders and residents staying along that route must relocate. We should know that no driver is deemed to be absolutely perfect.
“Let me state the position of government here, we are going to find permanent solutions to this recurrent issue this time. So, the Alaworoko should come up with a proposal that will be considered alongside what we think is the best solution to end these killings.
“However, pending the time we are going to come up with a concrete step to address the issue, the residents of this area should temporarily relocate in the interest of their safety. The driver union motor park located within that area should also be relocated to a more secured environment”.
Lending his voice, the Chairman of Ifedara Local Council Development Area, Hon Sunday Ogunsanya, said immediate mounting of bumps along the sharp bend will help in controlling vehicular speed, urging the government to grant expeditious approval for such prompt measure for the council to act accordingly.
Ogunsanya made passionate appeal to government to compensate those who suffered death and loss of property to the frightening incident, describing this as the best way to palliate their sufferings.
Appreciating the government for the visit, the Regent of Iworoko Ekiti, Princess Bolanle Ogundola, proposed that mounting of concrete pillars and bumps in the middle of the sharp bend on Ifaki-Iworoko-Ado Ekiti highway would be a corrective way to tackle the recurrent accidents on the spot.
The regent, represented by Chiefs Johnson Bada and Abiodun Ologunsaba, said the community was no longer comfortable with the gory turn of events in the town, saying the town is ready to support the government to solve the matter.
The Regent backed the proposal that those who suffered death and loss of property should be compensated accordingly.
“Even after the incident of 2019 where 18 people were killed inside the market, many other incidents of that nature had occurred here. Though, the level of casualties were not up to the number recorded in 2019.
“As a people, we are tired of these and we can continue to mourn over our people . There must be solution this time”, the Regent lamented.
On the governor’s entourage were: Chairman, Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Ademola Bello, the General manager of the agency, Mr. Oludare Asaolu, among other top government functionaries.
