Ogun State Government had exonerated itself from the tragic death of a resident of Kenta who is a Professor of Biochemistry at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Professor Oladipo Ademuyiwa.
Prof. Oladipo Ademuyiwa who was knocked down by Hit-and-Run reckless driver, believed to be internet fraudster along Wole Soyinka-Kemta-Idi-Aba-Somorin road.
In a statement issued by Chief Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor, stated that it is unfair and mischievous for anyone to blame the government for the death of the professor.
Chief Akinmade recalled that the same residents were blaming the government when the road was in a terrible state.
The government said that while it sympathizes with the victim’s family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors, it is irresponsible to blame it for the unfortunate incident.
The statement stated that the 7.3 km road is one of over 700 kilometers of roads rehabilitated or constructed across the state for the use of residents and commuters alike by the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration, pointing out that apart from providing necessary infrastructure in line with international standards, speed breakers and other safety measures were also installed to protect road users and their properties and check reckless driving on the road.
It has been established that Prof. Ademuyiwa was knocked down by a reckless driver who did not comply with established traffic rules and regulations.
Though residents claimed that the road had claimed so many lives due to few speed breakers and illegible road signs.
Earlier, a statement signed by Dr. Ayo Ajasa, Chairman of the Ajebo Road Housing Estate CDA, stated that the incident could have been avoided if the necessary safety measures had been in place.
He therefore called on the Ogun State Government to install speed breakers and other essential safety measures to prevent further tragedies on the road.
Chief Akinmade added that ,” Just last December, in response to the call of the communities in the area, the government installed a total of 11 speed breakers in addition to the one earlier installed on the road. This is apart from other relevant road signs that have been strategically placed to guide drivers and other commuters plying the road.
“While we deeply sympathize with the family, colleagues and other community members of the late Prof. Ademuyiwa, we wish to call on all relevant stakeholders to embark on sensitization of all categories of road users, particularly motorists on the importance of obeying traffic rules and regulations across the state at all times in order to prevent such unfortunate incidents in future.”