The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) has begun replacing stolen metal manhole covers with reinforced concrete alternatives in Ibadan. This initiative aims to reduce road accidents and protect motorists, pedestrians, and other road users from unnecessary deaths and injuries.
The replacement project started on Tuesday at Apata, located along one of the major routes in Ibadan. It highlights the increasing safety risks associated with the vandalism and theft of public infrastructure, particularly concerning road drainage and manhole covers.
The exercise was overseen by the Chairman of OYRTMA, Major Adesagba Adekoya (rtd.), who stated that the agency felt compelled to take action because uncovered manholes have become serious hazards for commuters, especially during rainfall and at night when visibility is low.
Adekoya explained that the decision to use concrete structures instead of replacing the stolen metal covers was aimed at providing a long-term solution while making the facilities less appealing to vandals.
He noted that this initiative is part of OYRTMA’s corporate social responsibility, as well as the agency’s commitment to ensuring that road users can navigate the metropolis without facing preventable dangers.
According to him, “Our primary concern is to safeguard the lives of motorists, pedestrians, Okada riders and other road users.
“An uncovered manhole is a serious danger, particularly at night and during rainfall. We were informed that this particular location had contributed to accidents and had continued to expose members of the public to unnecessary risks.
“We decided to replace the stolen metal cover with concrete because we believe it will provide a more durable solution and reduce the possibility of the cover being stolen again.”
The OYRTMA chairman condemned the continued vandalism of public infrastructure, warning that the consequences go beyond the loss of government property to the potential loss of human lives.
He appealed to residents to stop removing public infrastructure and urged members of the public to report uncovered manholes, dangerous potholes, damaged road sections and other hazards to the relevant authorities.
Adekoya said OYRTMA would continue to identify traffic and road-safety risks across Ibadan and work with other government agencies and stakeholders to address them.
He stressed the need for greater public vigilance, noting that early reporting of road hazards could help authorities intervene before such locations become scenes of fatal accidents.
The Area Commander of the Oyo Police Force, represented by ASP Okphor Kingsley, commended OYRTMA for the intervention, saying the replacement of the manhole cover would help prevent accidents and protect the lives of residents.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Okada Riders Association, BCJ, Unit 3, Apata, Ibadan, Mr Oluwadamilare Ale, said the intervention had brought relief to residents and commercial motorcyclists who had been exposed to danger at the location.
Ale said the affected spot had become a major concern for road users, alleging that several lives had reportedly been lost in accidents linked to the dangerous section.
He expressed appreciation to OYRTMA for responding to the situation, stressing that safer road infrastructure was particularly important for commercial motorcyclists and other commuters who use the route daily.
The development comes against the backdrop of persistent concerns over road safety, infrastructure vandalism and the dangers posed by poorly maintained or damaged road facilities across Nigerian cities.
OYRTMA said it would sustain its efforts to identify and address such hazards in the state, while calling for greater cooperation from residents in protecting public infrastructure and reporting facilities that pose immediate danger to road users.
The Oyo State Government, through the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the intervention was part of the administration’s broader commitment to public safety and the protection of lives and property.