The Oyo State Government has sternly warned event planners, owners of event centres, religious centres and club owners to desist from indiscriminate closure of public roads, noting that it intensifies gridlocks on roads around them.
The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Road Transport Management Authority, Dr. Akin Fagbemi, said this on Friday when he led a special operation team to commence enforcement against the unauthorised, deliberate and wilful blockade of government roads for social events across the State.
Fagbemi, shortly after the enforcement exercise, disclosed: “The present administration under the visionary leadership of Engr. Seyi Makinde completely frowns at the wilful disregard to extant laws and regulations guiding the usage of public facilities, including roads and other infrastructures.
“Today, we are commencing full enforcement against this act and we are starting at the Oluyole Estate axis of Ibadan Metropolis, where some individuals are used to deliberate blockage of government owned roads.
“The rampant case of unauthorised blockade of government roads across the State is a punishable offence that attract penalties as spelt out in the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority Act 2009.
“Henceforth, the State Government would descend heavily on any individual or groups who wilfully barricade any government road, thereby creating avoidable traffic loggerheads at strategic positions across the State.”
Fagbemi however said it is expected of any individual or group who must for any reason whatsoever block any government road to first seek permission from the state government who would through OYRTMA assess the resultant impact of such blockade and provide alternative route for commuters along the axis.
“Any person caught in the act would be made to face the full wrath of the law,” Fagbemi said.
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