Oyo Lawmakers Decry Increase in Traffic Congestions, Markets’ Mismanagement

The Oyo state house of assembly has decried the increase in traffic congestion and identified the need for local government councils, private and corporate organizations to invest in the creation of car parks and parking spaces.


The need and urgency of car parks was contained in a motion sponsored by the lawmaker representing Ibadan North East I, Hon. Olamide Akinajo alongside Honourables Hakeem Adedibu and Ayo Fatokun, at Thursday’s plenary.


The motion also lamented the menace of illegal parking, roadside mechanics, failure of corporate affairs owners like banks, industries, warehouses, malls, others to provide adequate car parking spaces as contributing to gridlock in the state capital.


The incessant gridlock, was also said to have extended to other major towns like Ogbomoso, Oyo, Saki, Iseyin, Eruwa.

Contributing, both Honourable Oluwafowokanmi Oluwafemi of Ibadan South West 2 and Honourable Kazeem Olayanju of Irepo/Olorunsogo urged local government Chairmen to prioritise creating spaces for car parks and mechanic workshops.


Making similar contributions, Minority Leader, Honourable Asimiyu Alarape and Honourable Wumi Oladeji of Ogbomoso North blamed the non-enforcement of existing laws as a major upset, and noted that the state government must be ready to step on toes to restore orderliness in the state.


Meanwhile, the Assembly has recommended that the state department of Physical Planning and Development to ensure inclusion of adequate parking lots in its subsequent approvals of proposed commercial, institutional, educational, industrial, residential, worship, religious and other buildings in the state.


It also tasked the Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency (OYRTMA) to commit more efforts to decongesting areas like Academy, Iwo Road Market, Oje Market road, Bus stop-Gate road, Ibadan, Odo-Oba, Taki Ogbomoso, Eleekara Oyo.


The Assembly charged the state Ministry of Environment to reprimand erring mechanics and other technicians who have turned major roadsides to illegal workshops.


In another motion presented by Honourable Akintunde Olajide of Lagelu constituency at the day’s plenary, he pointed to ongoing illegalities, mismanagement and revenue leakages in markets across the state.


Olajide listed the abnormalities to include allocation of spaces designed for car parks, construction of shops along flower channels, conversion of generator houses and public toilets to shops, illegal sales of shops, illegal collection of government revenue and poor environmental condition.


The Assembly has, however, resolved to embark on oversight to checkmate despicable occurrences at major markets in the state.