The bushy roads in Ibadan

July 31, 2023

THE Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in August has a mission statement on its website: to “focus on assurance of strategic preservation, utilization, reclamation and control of all environmental elements – air, earth and waters.”

Similarly, the state Ministry of Works highlighted on its website has the vision: “to provide adequate, safe and well-maintained public works and transportation infrastructure and services that support socio–economic development of the state.”

While I believe it is expedient for the two ministries to work together, it appears that the ministries’ mission statements and vision seem not to be felt in some parts of the Ibadan metropolis.

Taking a drive from the Toll Gate flyover of the Lagos/Ibadan expressway down to the Ring Road and Molete axis of the city and some other roads in the metropolis, it is observed that the road medians and paths on the sides of the road have grown weeds, which have turned out bushy, and it can be described as an eyesore.

During Governor Makinde’s July 18 visit to Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency’s (OYSROMA) office in Ibadan, he confirmed that his administration and the agency were able to reach a resolution on how to tackle some of the challenges faced by the agency. The governor confirmed that the staff of the agency promised ensure that “rehabilitation of roads are carried out in a timely manner.”

In this wise, I am calling on every stakeholder in the said meeting to make the promises made at the meeting a reality by taking a decisive action in clearing bush on our inner city roads and the entire metropolis. This menace does not only pose a threat to the safety of road users, it may also deter prospective investors and visitors who may want to visit Ibadan and its monumental sites of attractions, and you’ll agree with me that it is going to take a toll on the Oyo State internal revenue generation (IGR).