The Ogun State government said it cannot be blamed for the death of a resident of Wole Soyinka-Kemta-Idi-Aba-Somorin road, Prof. Oladipo Ademuyiwa, caused by a reckless hit-and-run driver.
The government noted that it is unfair and mischievous for anyone to blame it for the death of the professor.
In a statement on Tuesday in Abeokuta, the state capital, the government regretted that the same residents blamed the government when the road was deplorable and in a terrible state.
The statement, signed by the Special Adviser to the governor of Ogun State on Media and Strategy, Hon Kayode Akinmade stated that the 7.3-kilometre 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 best 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.
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.
It said, “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.”
