Osogbo Motorists Groan As Illegal Parking, Street Trading Cause Hours Of Traffic Delays

Motorists and commuters in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, have expressed concern over worsening traffic congestion caused by illegal parking, roadside trading and indiscriminate passenger loading along major roads across the metropolis.

The situation, particularly during evening rush hours, has continued to disrupt traffic movement, with residents lamenting that roads previously expanded and rehabilitated by the state government are increasingly struggling to accommodate the growing volume of vehicles.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the problem is particularly noticeable around Olonkoro, Ayetoro, Igbona, Odi-Olowo, Ota-Efun and Ajegunle along the Osogbo-Ikirun Road, where commercial buses frequently stop on major roads to pick up passengers.

Illegally parked vehicles and double parking have also forced motorists to make sudden lane changes, creating further obstructions and increasing the time required to complete relatively short journeys. Some commuters reportedly spend more than an hour navigating busy routes during peak periods.

A regular commuter, Anthony Alo, described the situation as frustrating, noting that despite improvements in road infrastructure across the state capital, traffic congestion has continued to worsen.

Alo explained that motorists travelling towards Igbona, Ayetoro and Orisunbare now spend considerably more time on the roads, particularly in the evenings when workers return home.

He called on the government to establish designated bus stops at Old Garage Junction and other strategic locations to prevent commercial vehicles from obstructing traffic. He also urged authorities to improve the separation of pedestrian activities from vehicular movement.

The situation has equally affected business owners, with some traders accusing motorists of using the frontages of their shops as parking spaces for extended periods.

A spare parts dealer, Pelumi Tijani, complained that vehicle owners frequently park in front of his business premises from morning until evening, preventing potential customers from accessing his shop and viewing his goods.

Similarly, a point-of-sale operator, Ojo Dolapo, identified indiscriminate passenger loading by commercial transport operators as a major cause of recurring congestion around Igbona and Ajegunle.

Beyond the inconvenience, the growing traffic problem has raised road safety concerns, as illegal parking, roadside trading and sudden vehicle movements increase the risk of accidents. The delays have also contributed to fuel wastage, lost working hours and additional expenses for businesses and commuters.

Reacting to the complaints, the Osun State Commissioner for Transportation, Sesan Oyedele, said the provision of designated parking facilities would help address the problem. He also warned car dealers against displaying vehicles for sale along public roads.

Oyedele disclosed that he would direct relevant officials to inspect areas where vehicles were being displayed for sale on highways, adding that designated parking spaces would discourage motorists from parking indiscriminately.

The commissioner further revealed that plans to construct designated bus stops in Osogbo had been included in the state’s 2025 and 2026 budgets. However, he attributed the delay in implementation to funding challenges linked to the non-release of local government allocations.

He expressed optimism that the financial difficulties would be resolved before 2027, allowing the government to commence the construction of bus stops across the state capital.

Meanwhile, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Osun State Sector Command, has also identified roadside trading, illegal parking and indiscriminate passenger loading as major factors contributing to traffic congestion and double parking.

The Sector Commander, Sunday Adebayo, said the Corps was working towards addressing the situation through engagements with the car dealers’ association, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and other relevant stakeholders before commencing enforcement operations.

Adebayo assured residents that the FRSC was collaborating with the state government to develop a lasting solution to roadside trading and other activities disrupting traffic movement across Osun State.

The growing concerns have increased calls for urgent intervention by relevant authorities to restore order on Osogbo’s major roads, improve road safety and ensure smoother movement for motorists, commuters and business operators.