Reps seek flyovers, pedestrian bridges on Kaduna highways over rising fatalities

The House observed that the highways divided these communities into two parts,  resulting in difficult movement of residents, traders and students across the roads.

It expressed concern that the ongoing construction on the two roads has created serious safety challenges due to the absence of designated pedestrian crossings, bridges and flyovers.and warned that continuous movement across the roads had led to fatal accidents, turning the highways into death traps.

The House noted that the affected roads have become major danger zones.

It stressed that constructing pedestrian bridges and flyovers at critical points would help prevent loss of lives and property, among others.

The lawmakers also emphasised that while the highways serve as key economic lifelines.

They must not endanger the people they are meant to serve, noting that such safety infrastructure is necessary for people-centred development.

The House urged the Federal Ministry of Works to review the design of the projects to include flyovers and pedestrian bridges at identified high-risk locations.

It also called on the ministry to work with the Kaduna State Government to ensure safety infrastructure is integrated into the projects within the state.

The House further urged the Federal Road Safety Corps and Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority to intensify public awareness on road safety and provide temporary pedestrian crossings pending the construction of permanent structures.

It mandated its Committees on Works and Legislative Compliance to assess the affected highways, ensure compliance and report to it in four weeks.

Presenting the motion, Agbese noted that sections 91, 112 and 113 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empower INEC to review and delimit state constituencies to ensure fair and equitable representation.

He recalled that prior to certain delimitation in the Fourth Republic, each of the three local government areas—Ado, Okpokwu and Ogbadibo—had two distinct state constituencies each in the state House of Assembly. These included Ado I and II, Ogbadibo I and II, and Okpokwu I and II, reflecting their population, landmass and administrative significance as major Idoma-speaking communities.

The lawmaker, however, expressed concern that subsequent exercises by INEC reduced their representation to one constituency per local government, thereby leaving large populations and vast territories under the representation of one lawmaker.

He argued that the development has negatively affected constituents, limiting their legislative voice and access to development projects and state resources.

Agbese further noted that the current arrangement contradicts the principles of equity, justice and federalism, and has triggered agitation among affected communities.

The House also referred to a resolution by the National Assembly directing INEC to restore suppressed constituencies such as Ukum II, Gboko and Nyamatsor ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The House urged INEC to restore the suppressed constituencies in the three local government areas, bringing them to two constituencies each, in line with constitutional provisions and historical records.

It further called on the electoral body to operationalise the constituencies and conduct elections into the six restored seats during the 2027 general elections.

The lawmakers urged the Senate to concur with the resolution to enhance its effectiveness.

The House resolved to transmit a certified true copy of the resolution to INEC, the state government, House of Assembly and other relevant authorities for implementation.

It mandated its Committee on INEC to engage relevant stakeholders, including the Attorney-General of the Federation, to ensure compliance and the restoration of the constituencies.