A resident of Osogbo, Oluwaseyi Peter, has appealed to Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to urgently address deteriorating road conditions and environmental sanitation challenges in the state capital.
Peter, who made the appeal in a letter to the governor, highlighted the deplorable condition of several roads and the growing problem of indiscriminate refuse disposal across Osogbo metropolis.
In the letter which was obtained by DAILY POST on Wednesday, he acknowledged the administration’s efforts towards infrastructural development across Osun State, particularly in Osogbo and other local government areas, while urging the government to intensify efforts to address the challenges affecting residents.
He said, “I write as a concerned and patriotic citizen of Osun State to express my appreciation for your administration’s efforts in advancing infrastructural development across the state, particularly in Osogbo, the state capital, and various local government areas.”
Peter, however, identified the deteriorating condition of major roads as a significant concern, noting that residents, motorists and business owners experience difficulties navigating roads riddled with potholes and damaged surfaces.
According to him, "The situation poses safety risks to road users and increases vehicle maintenance and repair costs, making urgent rehabilitation necessary."
Among the roads he identified for intervention are the routes from Aje Market through Dada Estate to Capital Area and Oke-Fia, as well as Orita Olaiya through Ogo Oluwa to Owode Road.
He also listed the Oja Oba–Ita Olokan–Ayepe route and the road from Orita Ayetoro through Testing Ground to Powerline Junction among the areas requiring attention.
Other roads mentioned include the route from the Lamaco Overhead Bridge through WOCDIF, Winners Junction, An-Nurudeen Grammar School and Ayekale Road to Koko Area along Ikirun Road, as well as the stretch from Winners Junction through Oke Onitea to Igbona Area.
Peter also highlighted the section between the railway crossing at Old Garage, near Lagos/Ibadan Motor Park, and Dugbe Police Station, alongside the road from First Bank Station Road through LAUTECH Teaching Hospital towards Ajegunle Junction and Igbona Road.
Explaining that the listed routes represented only some of the roads requiring rehabilitation, he urged the state government to conduct comprehensive assessments of major road networks and establish sustainable maintenance programmes.
Peter also raised concerns about poor environmental sanitation, alleging that roadside refuse dumping had become common in residential, commercial and market areas across the metropolis.
He stated that scavengers and strong winds often scatter refuse before collection, leaving streets littered and creating an unpleasant environment. Poor waste management could contribute to environmental pollution and public health risks, including the spread of diseases.
He recommended: "Declaring an environmental sanitation emergency in Osogbo, strengthening refuse evacuation systems and deploying mobile waste collection trucks to designated locations at scheduled times daily to enable residents to dispose of their waste properly.
"Stricter enforcement of existing environmental laws, public awareness campaigns targeting residents, traders and market women, and stronger monitoring by environmental health officers and local government sanitation departments.
“Addressing these pressing challenges will further improve the quality of life of residents, boost economic activities, enhance public safety, and preserve the dignity of our state capital.”
He urged Governor Adeleke and relevant government agencies to give the concerns urgent attention and expressed hope that the proposed interventions would improve living conditions and environmental standards in Osogbo and other parts of Osun State.
Osogbo resident raises alarm over deteriorating condition of roads, seeks urgent action