Residents Decry Absence Of Functioning Streetlights In Osogbo

RESIDENTS of Osogbo have decried the absence of functioning streetlights in many parts of the state capital and other cities.

The residents who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER in different interviews at some major streets in Osogbo, on Tuesday, called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to live to his campaign name, Imole and fulfil his promise to light up the state. 

Adeleke had on December 07, 2022, during the visit of the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alh. Atiku Abubakar, promised to light up everywhere in Osun. 

Adeleke stated that he found himself in an embarrassing situation when the former vice president, himself and other dignitaries moved round the state capital at night of December 06, 2022, and discovered that the whole city was without light.

However, more than a year later, the situation is still the same, with residents looking on to Adeleke to fulfil his promise.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that majority of the streetlights on Osogbo roads are not functioning, leaving the state capital in almost total darkness at night, especially when there is power outage. 

Areas like Dada Estate, OgoOluwa, Technical, Oke Fia, Old Garage, Igbona and Ota Efun are without functioning streetlights.

Speaking with the medium, a resident of Ota Efun, Okanlawon Obajuwon, appealed to Adeleke to fulfil his promise and light up the state.

He said: “I believe as a governor who loves his people, providing streetlights should be a priority.

“If the streets are lit, it will encourage a lot of good things and prevent bad happenings. The crime rate will surely reduce on our streets if everywhere is lit, especially in the evenings.”

A trader at OgoOluwa area of Osogbo, Olabisi Adeniyi, said: “Since last year, streetlights in some parts of Gbonga/Ibadan road has not been functioning. At times, by 6.30pm, everywhere would be dark, and we would hurriedly start packing our goods back into the warehouse.

“We dread nightfall now. The situation was not this bad because many businesses and residential buildings along the corridor could afford to power their generating sets, limiting the effects of the absence of street lighting.

“But now, only a few could afford the cost of petrol and diesel for generators. This reality has left us with the only option of early business closure to prevent untoward happenings. We are not happy about it. We implore the government to look at the situation and restore streetlights on the roads in Osogbo.”

A social analyst, Abisola Abiodun, opined that Adeleke, going by his campaign name ‘Imole’ ought to have taken the provision and repairing of streetlights on the major roads as a top priority.

“When you call someone ‘Imole’ and the majority of the streets under his administration are in darkness at night, that person is not living up to his name. 

“When you go around the town at night and you see everywhere in darkness, it portrays the state in a bad shape. 

“I want to appeal to Governor Adeleke to prioritise the lighting of Osun streets. Damaged streetlights should be fixed while those in need should be looked into.

“Osun residents deserve to be the biggest winner for voting Adeleke and, as such, deserve ‘Imole’