LAMENTATION: Drivers & Students Decry State of UNILORIN Park

Commercial drivers and students in the University of Ilorin, have expressed their displeasure to the situation at the school park.

These were revealed in a recent opinion poll conducted by UCJ UNILORIN. Though the school park may have been renovated to a reasonable level, most commercial drivers and students believe the reconstruction and renovation process is rather disadvantageous to them for the following reasons:

Many students, believe there is no difference between the old park and the new park, on the basis that, reasons for renovation of the park was due to expansion.

On the other hand, drivers also believe the renovation exercise is not successful on the basis of expansion; it is their opinion that the park is not large enough for drivers and other park users, which makes it difficult for drivers to manoeuvre their way orderly, in picking up passengers.

Another shortcoming identified by drivers is the absence of shades for momentary relaxation. According to a driver identified as 'Oloye', he said, "the large trees that create shelter from the harsh sun and rain have been cut, this has left drivers with no choice but to adapt to the in conducive situation."

Therefore, the drivers are using this medium to call on the management of the University to provide alternatives, if it was mandatory to cut down the trees during construction work.

Students, however, were silent in this regard. Rather, many of them, think the quality of the park has not measured up to their expectation.

For instance, nonavailability of rest rooms for use at the park, is also a major concern for drivers. Although, there are toilets in the park, they are not accessible to park users who ought to have access to them.

A driver, whose name was not disclosed, said, "the school built the restrooms which are currently bushy and locked with no access, but workers on the park have decided to raise fund through taxing its transport workers at intervals."

"Basically, these drivers cannot afford to keep up with the tax system, so, some of them look for natural environments to powder their nose."

Mr Oloye, also claims that "on several occasions, drivers have been forced to defecate in their buses."

Story of a woman who couldn't hold herself against nature, was narrated to our correspondent.

Drivers also opined that the nature of their work is energy sapping, for this reason, adequate food supply, should be available at the park. A driver said, "This is an unfortunate situation that needs to be acted upon as fast as possible, as all mini-food stores, have been sent away."

These drivers, claimed to have had meetings with the school management recently concerning some of these issues, but has yielded no result. 

It is certain that, drivers are not pleased with the current state of things pertaining to the school park.

Efforts are in top to get the reaction of the school management on the subject matter.

​Bamigbaye Jesulonii​
​UCJ​, UNILORIN.