The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have locked horns over the directive issued by the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, barring heavy-duty trucks from accessing the Olaiya Flyover due to safety concerns.
While the APC called the move unnecessary and demanded proof to justify claims about the bridge’s safety, the PDP said the decision taken by Governor Adeleke was based on the alarm raised by motorists plying the Olaiya Flyover.
24newstv had reported that Governor Adeleke directed a ban on heavy-duty trucks from plying the Olaiya Flyover in Osogbo. The directive, which empowers the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to take action, was ordered due to safety reasons arising from technical reports on the state of the bridge.
This directive was contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson to the state governor, Olawale Rasheed, on Monday in Osogbo.
However, the Osun APC raised concerns over the governor’s directive restricting heavy-duty trucks from using the Olaiya Flyover. The party leadership, during a press conference in Osogbo on Wednesday, hinted that the safety concerns presented by Adeleke might be a precursor to a larger undisclosed plan by the current administration.
They insisted that the Olaiya Flyover was constructed with quality materials that can never be faulted anywhere in the world and added that it remains one of the best legacies bequeathed to the state by any government since the creation of the state.
The former Commissioner for Works, Oluremi Omowaiye, who defended the construction process of the flyover, noted that the project underwent rigorous evaluations at every phase.
He said the construction of the bridge was a product of due process and a necessary solution to eliminate road mishaps and reduce traffic congestion in the area.
Omowaiye challenged the current administration to produce any technical report indicating that the bridge is substandard, reaffirming that the bridge was constructed to high standards.
He explained that the state government did not build the flyover at the junction for the fun of it but to ensure the free flow of vehicular movement in that area, a motive that was achieved throughout the period of the previous administration and continues to the present.
“Before work commenced on the project, the first thing we did was carry out an environmental impact assessment, and we conducted a traffic count to assess the vehicular movement and congestion at that corridor.”
“We discovered that the solution was to build a flyover, and we also found that many motor accidents occurred because a lot of motorists and travelers plying that road were driving at high speed.”
“So, we wrote to the Federal Ministry of Works, because the road is a federal road, to inform them of our intention to carry out the project, following our assessment.”
“As the Commissioner for Works under the Gboyega Oyetola administration, I supervised the project. Since Osogbo is the state capital, we approached the project with more than just structural designs. We added cultural value to the flyover project. That’s why we added a fish sculpture to represent the cultural heritage of Osogbo, dancing fountains, solar lights for nighttime travelers, and cameras.”
The Osun PDP, reacting through its Director of Media, Oladele Bamiji, insisted that the directive by Governor Adeleke was in order to protect the lives of the people, rather than being political.
“The decision taken by Governor Adeleke was based on the alarm raised by motorists plying the Olaiya Flyover. Motorists using the road were the ones who raised concerns about the poor condition of the bridge.”
“A motion had been raised by a lawmaker on the floor of the Osun State House of Assembly, alerting the government to the deteriorating state of the flyover. The governor was advised to act. Whatever steps are taken by the governor have the backing of the Osun PDP and are devoid of politics.”
While stressing that the governor is not interested in erasing anyone’s legacy, Bamiji insisted that a legacy of danger cannot be allowed to endanger the residents and road users.
“As a governor, if he fails to act and something happens, these same people would be among the first to attack the government.”
“Safety of lives and property in Osun is more important than the legacy of anyone.”
