Makinde’s “Operation Zero Potholes” might be producing zero results, according to Oyo state indigenes. And despite a ₦245 million contract to solve this challenge, a handful of roads remain facelifted with massive potholes.
- Oyo state has spent ₦245 Million on patching of potholes in Ibadan metropolis;
- Yet, many roads still remain decorated with potholes in the state;
- Road users lament on the abandoned state of their roads;
- Citizen involvement in governance might prove effective, expert charges.
Despite Engineer Makinde ₦5billion for road maintenance, residents of Ibadan, the state capital, bemoan the vast amount of potholes on major roads – Oremeji to Idi Obi and Ojo to Igbo Oloyin.
In all, the state allocated ₦50billion for infrastructural development, as part of Governor Makinde’s promise to prioritise funding to OYROMA, the agency responsible for fixing and maintaining roads. Of the sum, the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency/Works (OYROMA) got ₦5bn.
Subsequently, OYROMA contracted Messr Axford Bridge to patch potholes in the state. Details from Oyo state open contract portal reveals a ₦245m contract signed on May 6th, 2020.
₦245 million has not solved the existing problem
A slew of major roads in Oyo, however, does not represent Makinde’s “operation zero potholes”. Not to mention the ₦245m contract in May. And although OYROMA declared it had repaired almost all roads in Ibadan metropolis, some major roads remain untouched.
In fact, this reporter’s interactions with regular commuters painted a vivid picture of their daily troubles. For instance, Oremeji to Idi Obi road in Ona Ara Local Government Area is essentially a ‘sea of portholes.’ Nevermind the road links the interior part of Ibadan to the state airport. Worse, though, a majority of road users decried the sheer amount of fatal accidents ensued because of the road.
Despite all the calls and text messages forwarded to the known contacts of the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency and its Media Officer, Dataphyte could not get any response from the concerned authorities.
“I keep wondering if we have a government…”
For Bolaji Burna, a bike rider who navigates the road consistently while sharing his ordeal, groaned with a lifeless demeanour.
” I feel the government that will help us with this road has not come yet because the unbearable problem has persisted for years. Sometimes our people went to a TV station to complain but no action has been seen since then. In fact, many accidents have given most okada riders lifetime injuries while some have died too. It also affects our business especially at night with overwhelming traffic.”
What is more? It is not an awareness problem. ‘Keke’ driver, Yemi Tijani, told the reporter how he was not the first reporter to come around asking questions.
‘In fact, I keep on wondering if we have a government because we have called upon government severally but nothing has happened, we have accepted our fate that’s why sometimes some boys in the neighbourhood try to fix the road. Only God can help us.”
Ojoo to Igbo Oloyin Road, another abandoned road
Ojoo to Igbo Oloyin Road in Akinyẹle Local Government is yet another abandoned project, although it services at least 2000 commuters daily. It also connects with the 2nd Division Adekunle Fajuyi Nigeria Military Cantonment. But has been a haven of frustration to road users owing to its vast amount of potholes.
With no alternatives, some okada drivers decided to be their own saviours. However, the pothole challenge proved too cumbersome for just sand filling.
Oluseyi Pamilerin a bike rider explained to this reporter, he said
” If you come to this place at night, you will feel bad for us because of the heavy traffic we experience, sometimes we won’t be able to move at all. Meanwhile, this also affects our business because most of us got our bikes on hire. So how do we pay our returns”.
Funso Ayanfe, a resident also decried the state of the road, he described the trouble the road gives them in the neighbourhood as “unpalatable”. He condemned the government’s negligence on the degenerated road. ” What we face on this road is not palatable, we can only wish the government will help us in this situation” he added.
Expert calls for Citizen’s involvements in governance
In all, citizen participation in governance is imperative, Busayo Morakinyo charges. The transparency and accountability expert with Connected Development also urged the government to rise up to its responsibility of governance.
“The government should wake up to its responsibility for governance because people in government are elected to provide public services. We will also look into citizens’ apathy towards the government. Citizens should be agitated when governments do not do what they are supposed to do. Besides the apathy, pitting administration against each other is not the way to go. Because no government is doing anything with their money rather they use taxpayers money.”Busayo Morakinyo, Connected Development