The State Oyo Government has warned Light Up Oyo Project pole, cable vandals and thieves to desist from the act as the state government is ready to deal with whoever was caught in such dastardly act.
The Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Barrister Seun Ashamu gave the stern warning while briefing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting last week Tuesday.
Ashamu said the government will henceforth go tougher with such vandals and criminals who the government described as saboteurs of the spirited efforts of the Governor Seyi Makinde led government at making basic amenities accessible to the citizens that will boost the economic activities across the state.
The Hon Commissioner urged residents to assist by being watchful and report any suspicious movement around the poles, power station and the road to the law enforcement agencies or better still call this numbers for urgent intervention and 615.
Investigations conducted by Goalpoacher News around the state capital on Monday to ascertain the level of damages done to the light up poles and cables in the metropolis showed that accidents on the major dualized roads contributed to the poor operation of the light up project in those areas.
On the weekend of 19th and 20th, August, 2023, nine major ghastly accidents were recorded with one fatality as a result of reckless driving due to the good roads constructed by the Oyo State Government.
The areas where the accidents occurred in just one weekend included, Akala Express, Eleyele Busstop, Sango-Eleyele Road, Orita Challenge Market, New Garage Ibadan among others.
During the Exco briefing of journalists at the Governor’s Office last week Tuesday, the Hon Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Barrister Seun Ashamu stated that the State Government approved the payment of N3.1 billion as backlog for the operation and maintenance of the light up project from January 2020 to April, 2023 following the damages that were done to the project by vandals, thieves and accidents.
The Oyo State Government also released a hotline to report activities of saboteurs or any malfunctioning lights.
The lines are 07004449999 or call 615 for rapid response.
