Osun govt relocates viral electricity pole in middle of reconstructed road

The Osun State government has relocated an electricity pole in the middle of a newly reconstructed road at Oduola Street, Oke Okanla area of Osogbo, the state capital. 

This is coming days after a picture of the pole went viral on social media. 

The state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, in a post via official X handle on Wednesday, shared pictures of the road when it went viral and after the pole was relocated. 

“Osun State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has successfully completed the relocation of an electric pole that is in the middle of Oduola Street road, Oke Okanla, Osogbo,” the post reads.

The ministry, in a previous post, stated that the road was not constructed by the state government, but rather by a federal lawmaker, Senator Ajagunla Olubiyi Fadeyi, as part of his constituency project. 

“This road was facilitated and constructed by a Federal Lawmaker as a constituency project but didn’t follow the Engineering standards and specifications that the ministry is known for,” the state government clarified. 

Senator Fadeyi’s defense

Following a backlash from Nigerians after the picture of the pole went viral, the Senator, who was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but recently dumped the party, said he considered relocation of the pole as the responsibility of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC)

According to Senator Fadeyi in a post on X, the road was constructed in 1988, and no government has since then seen any reason to reconstruct it. 

Fadeyi wrote, “My attention has been drawn to a viral picture of a road facilitated in my constituency. It’s on record that the last time the road was constructed was in 1988. Since then, no government has ever seen any reason to construct it. Also, the relocation of electricity poles was not in the bill of Quantities and should be done by the IBEDC.”

In a subsequent post about the backlash over the pole left in the middle of the road, Senator Ajagunla Fadeyi added: “The Oduola Street road has endured neglect for over 27 years, and it is crucial to clarify the improvements being made. Distinguished Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, also known as Ajagunnla, has in the middle of the road. We want to make it clear that the relocation of electricity poles was not included in the bill of quantities for this project. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to manage the relocation of this pole, especially as residents consistently pay their electricity bills.”

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