We’re not relenting on road maintenance in Oyo —Olugbenga Akintola, Gov Ajimobi’s aide on infrastructure

What are the objectives of your agency?

The objective of the Oyo State Public Works Department (OYPWD) is in line with the edict establishing it and this include carrying out planning, execution and evaluation of road maintenance activities in the state. Our agency also makes policy recommendations to government on matters relating to road maintenance and safety on roads. We repair and rehabilitate roads within the state as well as maintain all existing roads and other hydraulic facilities, plants and equipment. I can also say that OYPWD carry out other assignments as might be given by the governor.

The rains have so much damaged intra city roads, especially in Ibadan. What have you done to ameliorate the suffering of the people due to these bad roads?

We have been making a lot of efforts in the rehabilitation of our roads in Ibadan. Currently we are fixing all the bad roads within the city. We are committed to zero tolerance for potholes across the state and w want to maximise this dry season to maintain the roads. Let me equally state that our maintenance will be of high quality and we shall try to complete it in due course.

 A major criticism of your agency is that your activities are concentrated in Ibadan. What defence do you have on this?

Naturally our maintenance activities always start in Ibadan, as it is the capital of the state before every zone in the state are also attended to. Our maintenance activities always cut across the seven geo-political zones of the state. So, we will still extend our services to other areas. Let me use this opportunity to appeal to our people, especially those in other zones outside Ibadan, to bear with us. We will strive to ensure that the maintenance cut across the all the zones in the state.

There are some roads in Ibadan that were damaged by people laying cables or water pipes. These people would do this without repairing the roads. Are there no penalties for this?

There are penalties on this, but it is not in the purview of our agency. It is being handled by the Ministry of Works and Transport. Whenever our people have information regarding this, they should not hesitate to get in touch with the Oyo State Ministry of Works and Transport.

Some inner roads have also been taken over by traders who build kiosks right in the middle (of the roads). Does the management of this issue fall under your agency and what can you do or have you done?

No, it does not. The Ministry of Environment and Water Resources handles such matters.

What advice do you have for road users on how to make the roads more durable?

We should understand that road maintenance is our collective responsibilities, not just that of the government alone. I want to appeal to our people to stop burning tyres, cooking, setting up mechanical workshops on our roads and avoid pouring of petroleum and associated products like petrol, diesel, engine oil, break oil and grease on the roads. Also, our domestic waste water should be discharged properly into the right channel and we should desist from dumping of refuse into our drainages to prevent over-flooding of the roads.

Let me also add that we all should stop plying roads with excessive axle loads and we must stop indiscriminate cutting and digging of the roads. We must locate car wash facilities with appropriate drainage channels and must desist from driving vehicle with flat tyres on roads with asphalt pavements.  Public roads are our collective heritage and they must be used appropriately. In essence, the maintenance of our roads should be the concerted efforts of all of us as the appropriate use of the roads will prevent damages.

How can you rate your operation zero tolerance for potholes project?

It is actually tagged The Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Road Infrastructural Facilities across the State and it is hoped that the program will be sustained. I will say it is very effective and has reduced travel times, maintenance costs of vehicle and improved the security of our people.