In a bid to ensure safety of life of Staff and Students on the road that links the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun-Oshun River Basin Development Authority (O-ORBDA) and Alabata village from Camp, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kolawole Salako and his team has met with the Chairmen of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycles Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACCOMORAN) Alabata Road Branch, Divisional Police Officer, Harmony Estate Police Post and other relevant stakeholders of the link road.
Speaking at the gathering, Professor Salako narrated the genesis of how the University was able to source for fund from the Federal Government for the Road Rehabilitation.
He asked the drivers to ignore any rumour making the rounds that Politicians or any Alabata Road Community are behind the rehabilitated road or the initial palliative measures made to patch the road with granite obtained from the Quarry Operators.
Professor Salako however tasked the team of Chairmen of the various Union to call their members to order on the proper use of the road. He noted that while on inspection of the rehabilitated part, he was amazed to see some Okada Riders driving recklessly on the newly tarred part of the road.
The Vice-Chancellor charged the drivers and various road users to avoid over-speeding on the road and stressed that the essence of the meeting was to call the drivers and Okada Riders to order through their Chairmen and representative(s) so that they will not cause havoc on the road.
He further said that FUNAAB’s utmost concern revolves around the safety of her Staff and Students, which according to him the University will not compromise.
Responding separately, the Chairman of the NURTW, FUNAAB-Alabata Road Unit, Mr. Adewale Adegboyega and his ACCOMORAN counterpart, Mr. Fatai Bisiriyu thanked FUNAAB for spearheading the road rehabilitation.
The duo described the work so far done as a relief to transporters and other road users. According to Mr. Adegboyega, the bad condition the road was before now had made some of their members to pull-out their vehicles from the road and relocate to other places.
They both charged the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management not to rest on their oars, but ensure that the road was properly done for all to enjoy.
Responding on cautioning their members, the Chairmen both agreed to warn their members, raise task force to monitor those flouting the laid down orders and impose punitive measures on erring members.
Mr. Bisiriyu on his part said that all registered Okada in their unit have stickers of identification. He lamented that the problem they face as a unit is the influx of Okada riders from other places on their route, and basically, could not be controlled by their unit.
On his part, Mr. Adegboyega appealed to the Management to caution the drivers of the various Campus Shuttles, alleging that most often, the shuttle drivers claim that the occupying students spur them to drive according to the student’s wish. These, he said could spell great danger to the bus owner and driver should anything happens driving according to the student’s wish.
Sharing his experience, the Divisional Police Officer, Harmony Estate Police Post, DSP Johnson Amusan noted that the bus drivers are amenable and most of them are still known to the Police Unit and men. Unlike their Okada Riders counterpart, whom he described as reckless and faceless.
Arising from the meeting, the team left for on-the-spot inspection of the road, where they met with the Contractor handling the project, Hon. Olanrewaju Majekodunmi at Camp junction, who on arrival of the University team revealed that the work is 85% done. Hon. Majekodunmi also promised to deliver a quality work that will stand the test of time.
However, the Vice-Chancellor and his entourage advised that the drainage be cleared and proper water/flood channels be created where necessary.
