International Breweries Plc (IBPLC) is a tremendous blessing to Osun State. In terms of employment and income generation, the brewing company at Lawrence Omole Way, Omi-Asoro, Ilesa has made a substantial contribution to the growth and economic development of her host town and Osun state in general.
However, many people of Ilesa and nearby towns like Iloko, Iwaraja, and Iperindo regard it as a death trap. They accused the brewing company of promoting nuisance parking of heavy-duty vehicles on roads, which not only impedes traffic but has caused/is causing accidents.
The story depicts not only how heavy-duty trucks owned by International Breweries Plc cause nuisance parking on a major road, but also how it upsets road users, resulting in arguments, disagreements, and possibly accidents.
When WITHIN NIGERIA visited the company in Omi-Asoro, the reporter noticed that heavy-duty vehicles belonging to the company were parked on the roadside from St. Lawrence High School to the Iloko-Ijesa junction, limiting private and commercial drivers’ access to the road and causing an obstruction.
Residents who spoke with WITHIN NIGERIA expressed their displeasure and highlighted the tragic experiences these heavy-duty cars had generated among road users. A citizen identified as Samson told WITHIN NIGERIA that the brewing company should be added to the list of 1000 ways to die owing to driver attitudes and illegal parking of heavy-duty vehicles on roadways.
Samson, a resident of Adebayo Abon, a street in Ilesa, further revealed that heavy-duty vehicles parked by the road constantly cause traffic or delay in movement since people, automobiles, and motorcycles are left with only a little section of the road to use once they have occupied it.
According to Samson, numerous Okada riders experienced various degrees of injury while competing for space with automobiles or buses due to the presence of heavy-duty vehicles on the road.
‘I dread driving on this route, but I have no option. My residence is located in Adebayo Abon. Aside from the potholes on the road, the presence of heavy-duty vehicles parked made matters worse. If you wish to exit a crossroads or swerve to another position, you won’t be able to view the front clearly because of the blocking imposed by heavy-duty cars,” Samson explained.
Johnson, an Omi-Asoro resident, also complained about the hardship and delays that road users face as a result of the numerous heavy-duty vehicles parked on the roadside.
While condemning the government and International Breweries Plc neglect of the road, Johnson stated that the brewing company exacerbated the condition of road users by allowing its drivers to park their heavy-duty cars on the road.
According to Johnson, citizens and other stakeholders have continued to suffer and face delays because the government or other relevant authorities are frightened of the brewing company, International Breweries Plc, due to taxes or gains.
He informed WITHIN NIGERIA that they (people) have complained angrily to the police, community leaders, and public officials about the illegal parking of heavy-duty vehicles on the road.
They did nothing. They, too, drive and face delays and hardships. They’ve also watched misunderstandings and accidents involving motorbikes and cars caused by the illegal parking of heavy-duty vehicles on roads, but they’ve remained silent and pretended everything was fine. They did so because they don’t drive on the road every day, said a furious Johnson.
Adebowale, who lives in Orita-Iloko, also described a tragic encounter he had while riding a motorcycle with his companion.
Adebowale, a father of three, told WITHIN NIGERIA that he and a buddy were on their way to his residence in Orita-Iloko when they were hit hard by a commercial motorist who was swerving a pothole and a heavy-duty vehicle parked on the roadside.
According to Adebowale, his friend was seriously injured, but he escaped with minor bruising because the heavy-duty vehicle prevented them from seeing the automobile in motion.
He further stated that it is nauseating that FRSC officials and important figures in government pass through this road, see these heavy-duty vehicles, and are aware of the danger the situation poses, but choose to remain silent until a major disaster occurs and they arrive to console people dressed in black.
Adebowale urged government officials at all levels, including Governor Ademola Adeleke, to direct the Ministry of Transportation to intervene and save residents from accidents and delays, among other things.