A tragic accident in Molete area in Ibadan has reignited concerns about billboard safety in Oyo State.
According to a concerned resident, Morufu Smith, a heavy metal used for advertising fell from the Molete Overhead Bridge onto a moving motorcycle, resulting in the motorcyclist’s death and leaving his female passenger with severe, disfiguring injuries.
He described the horrifying moment, stating that “some guys were on top of the bridge, trying to remove the heavy metal with some ropes.”
The ropes reportedly snapped, causing the metal to crash onto the unsuspecting riders. It remains unclear whether these individuals were employees of the advertising agency responsible for the signage or vandals attempting to steal the materials.
The incident has drawn public outrage over the unsafe practices used in erecting and dismantling billboards.
Smith expressed his frustration, calling the practice “crude and barbaric,” emphasizing that “placing and removing such heavy metals on overhead bridges using ropes when cranes could have been used” is unacceptable.
Smith urged the Oyo State agency responsible for signages and advertisements to enact stricter safety regulations: “Ad agencies must use cranes and other sophisticated equipment to mount billboards, especially where they pose dangers to the public.”
