Assessment of Street Lighting on Urban Security System in Oyo State, Nigeria
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Date
2023-12
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Lead City University
Abstract
The prevailing security situation in Oyo State remains a pressing concern, with many expressing dissatisfaction with the government's efforts to address the issue effectively. However, the provision and maintenance of streetlights could play a significant role in mitigating these challenges. Thus, this study investigates the impact of a streetlight initiative on the urban security dynamics of Oyo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive research design. It elicits information from residents, road users (commercial drivers and passengers) and park managers across selected routes with street lighting in Oyo State. A sample size of 400 respondents was selected randomly. Three major cities (Oyo, Ogbomosho, and Ibadan) in Oyo state were selected
using purposive sampling to collect data. Data analysis employed descriptive and mean, with a mean score of 2.5 used as a decision threshold. A strong correlation (92.2%) was found between crime and areas lacking functional street lighting, consistent in both Oyo and Ogbomosho. The average mean of 3.39 highlights a significant consensus on the severity of urban security challenges. Respondents strongly agreed (mean of 3.45) on the positive impact of street lighting on security, particularly at night. Challenges identified include poor funding, corruption, power failures, vandalism, and inadequate maintenance. Proposed strategies to alleviate insecurity include installing brighter streetlights, ensuring uninterrupted lighting, establishing police patrols, regularly maintaining streetlights, refurbishing urban infrastructure, incorporating safety principles in urban planning, and intensifying crime prevention campaigns. The study concludes that unevenly lit road sections in the urban state of Oyo pose risks for users, especially during
nighttime driving. Recommendations include the installation of bright streetlights in all urban centres in Oyo State, utilizing solar power or generators. Furthermore, the study advocates for intensified crime and violence prevention campaigns by civil society and relevant authorities to enhance awareness among vulnerable populations in Oyo State.
Keywords: Street light, Crime, Security, Urban Infrastructure
Words Count: 298
Description
Keywords
Street light, Crime, Security, Urban Infrastructure
Citation
Kate Turabian