Pedestrian bridges: Reps want authorities to enforce use

The House of Representatives has urged the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to enforce the use of pedestrian bridges in the country.This followed a sponsored motion by Rep. Johnson Oghuma (Edo-APC), motion of which was unanimously adopted.Oghuma said that failure of many Nigerians to use pedestrian bridges, which has consequently resulted to loss of lives on highways, informed the motion.According to him, in spite of the fact that pedestrian bridges were constructed to stop people from crossing busy highways, many Nigerians still endanger their lives by refusing to adhere to the highway rules.The Representative cautioned that if drastic measures were not taken to enforce adherence, the loss of lives would not abate.“The advantages of these bridges as safety measures for pedestrians can never be over emphasised due to the inherent danger in crossing the highways directly.“Pedestrians still prefer to cross the highways directly rather than using the pedestrian bridges, thereby endangering their lives as there is little or no enforcement mechanism to compel pedestrians to use the bridges.“If drastic measures are not taken to enforce adherence to the use of pedestrian bridges, the trend will likely continue and more lives will be lost through pedestrians being knocked down by speeding vehicle,’’ the lawmaker said.Still on the matter, the House, urged the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to see to the protection of areas around the pedestrian bridges, by constructing barricades and providing lights and shades.The House Committees on Police Affairs, and Interior would ensure implementation, according to Oghuma.