On the 8th of February, 2021, Inioluwa Olaposi, an inhabitant of Osun State, wrote a letter directed to the office of the Commissioner for Works & Transport of the State.

In this letter, he made a complaint about the inoperativeness of street lights in a part of the state, including the road nicked-named ‘Ona Baba Ona’. He analysed having no street light as a malady, which may result in negative occurrences, like armed robbery and accidents. He also mentioned that the faith of the people in the government is reduced, among other unfavourable outcomes.

According to the ministry, this letter, though sent on the aforementioned date, was received on the 23rd of March, 2021. This was made known in the response, prepared on 6th April, 2021, and sent to Inioluwa’s email address on the 7th of April, 2021. This response was sent from the Mechanical and Electrical Department, Ministry of Works and Transport, Osun State, Nigeria.

In the document sent, the ministry specified the illumination of roads as one of the priority programmes of Mr Gboyega Oyetola’s administration, code named ‘Light up Osun’. Accordingly, this led to the activation of street lights in the state capital.

It is said that the outbreak of Covid-19 Pandemic and the #ENDSARS protest, which affected the economy of the state in 2020, hindered the execution of the project in other major towns and cities in the state. However, it is assured that the programme ‘Light Up Osun’ will resume as soon as the economy of the state improves.

Going forward, the ministry mentions that the nonfunctioning of the reactivated street lights is due to vandalization by men of the underworld and damage by reckless drivers.

Particularly, it is stated that the streetlights along East-bye Pass ‘Sir Adesoji Aderemi Road’, called ‘Ona Baba Ona’, has been vandalized. Verbatim, “All the armored and upraiser cables had been removed and carted away by the Men of the underworld span a total length of 11km (275 poles).” And this is said as the reason for the inoperativeness of the street lights.

The ministry however promises that the government is planning to restore the Street Light along “Ona Baba Ona” within the shortest possible time.
Finally, the ministry implores the receiver, as well as all residents of Osun State to be vigilant and report anybody vandalizing the Street Lightning components. And alert the state government whenever any road user damage street light or any other road furniture.

About Inioluwa: Inioluwa Olaposi is 300L law student in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He is an indigene of Modakeke, and lives in Ido Osun, Osun State, with his parents and relatives. He is the founder of LawHub NG (https://www.lawhub.com.ng) and BibleHat. Contact: 08144201894, princiology2@gmail.com.

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