From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo.
Residents of Oyo town have expressed strong indignation
over what they referred to as “shoddy re-construction’’ of
Owode/Isokun and Owode/Akesan roads.
For about two years that the billion naira road project was awarded by the state government, contracts had been terminated twice and re-awarded to various contractors, amid intrigues and politicking.
Contracts for the roads were eventually terminated and converted into direct labour projects.
While the reconstructions lasted, many residents, especially traders at the ancient Akesan market had fallen ill, leading to terminal diseases such as asthma as a result of heavy dust emission.
Despite repeated appeal from disturbed residents, the contractors that handled the projects refused to comply with international industrial safety regulatory standards, which recommend watering of the roads under construction to minimize hazards.
Several other residents were yet to be compensated for the losses incurred during demolitions.
Notwithstanding the discomforts and pains unleashed on them in the course of re-construction, residents still summed up courage and hope that the roads, if completed, would be durable and beneficial.
That hopes and optimisms were dashed as despair, lamentations and agonies pervaded the ancient town after final completion of the roads.
The restless residents want to know why were the roads shoddily completed and not in line with specifications, which is asphaltic tarring.
They also want to know why were the roads contracts terminated and the rationale behind their hasty completion through direct labour.
One of the aggrieved residents, Mrs. Bolorunduro Adeoba, told Freedom Online: “We want His Excellency to reply to all these questions raised. Go to Ibadan and drive round to see all the roads constructed by the present administration. Then, come back and tell us which of these roads was shoddily completed like our own in Oyo here. Is this the way our governor wants to show grattitude?’’
She also sought to know when compensations would be paid to all those displaced in the ancient town as a result of demolitions.
Adeoba, who was visibly angry, said: “I am one of those displaced in Oyo town with the demolition. I have an
aged mother, husband and children. We saw hell and my husband, an okada rider, almost kicked the bucket due to psychological trauma. Contrary to widespread publicity that government has been paying compensation, we, in Oyo, have not received anything. We hold meetings regularly and we know ourselves’’.
She wondered why the governor takes it upon himself to be distributing teaching appointment letters to the people now which is the tail end of his administration, instead of saddling officials from both TESCOM and SUBEB with the responsibilities.
“Many residents had been inflicted with terminal ailments such as asthma, while some have died without being compensated as a result of trauma they underwent before and after the demolition of their houses built with hard-earned money. Our traders are yet to be given a dime as was done to their counterparts in Ibadan, who were given substantial amount of money running into several millions to boost their businesses. What really have the people of Oyo
benefitted from this government?’’
