Residents of Aperin Street in the Bodija area of Ibadan have kicked against the construction of a transformer house on a narrow public road linking the Redemption Bridge to the Oyo State Secretariat, warning that the project poses safety and traffic hazards.
The transformer is being installed to supply a newly built high-rise in the area. However, residents say the developer has chosen to erect the facility on the public road rather than within the premises of the property it is meant to serve. They fear the siting could lead to electrical accidents, fire outbreaks, restricted movement and delays in emergency response.
The President of the Bodija Estate Residents Association (BERA), Pastor Muyiwa Bamgbose, in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan, condemned the development, describing it as a violation of public space and a threat to community safety. He said transformer houses should be located within private premises and not on public roads.
Bamgbose called on the Oyo State Government, the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and the Ministry of Physical Planning to stop the construction and review any approvals issued for the project. Residents also questioned whether the developer obtained proper authorisation from relevant regulatory bodies.
Urban planning experts said transformer installations for private buildings are typically required to be placed within the property they serve, except under special conditions and with strict government approval. They warned that locating such infrastructure on a public thoroughfare violates planning and safety standards.
Residents have begun mobilising to halt further work and are demanding the suspension of the project, verification of permits, relocation of the transformer to the building premises and clear communication from authorities on safety compliance.
As of the time of filing this report, officials of the Oyo State Government and IBEDC had not issued a statement. Attempts to reach the developer were unsuccessful. Construction on the transformer house, however, continues, heightening tensions in the community.
