The Osun State Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have disagreed over the proposed rehabilitation of the Olaiya Flyover in Osogbo.
In a statement issued by the Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the Governor Ademola Adeleke had ordered the immediate rehabilitation of the bridge after inspecting the facility on Sunday, citing concerns over its worsening condition ahead of the commissioning of the newly completed Okefia Flyover Bridge.
The governor directed the Ministry of Works to assess the condition of the bridge, carry out necessary repairs, clean the structure and address any identified shortcomings to complement the Okefia and Lameco flyover bridges.
Adeleke also instructed that the rehabilitation should be completed before the commissioning of the Okefia Flyover Bridge.
He maintained that the Olaiya Bridge is a state asset that must be properly maintained, stressing that government has a responsibility to preserve public infrastructure.
The governor also stated that government is a continuum, noting that his administration has continued to complete inherited projects while ensuring that projects executed by previous administrations are properly maintained.
The governor’s directive was contained in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.
Reacting in a statement, the Osun APC, through its spokesperson, Mr. Kola Olabisi, questioned the need for the proposed rehabilitation, insisting that the bridge, constructed during the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, remains structurally sound.
Olabisi argued that the proposed rehabilitation could amount to unnecessary expenditure at a time when, according to him, other critical sectors in the state require more urgent government attention.
The APC spokesperson alleged that the planned rehabilitation could serve as a means of providing jobs for political associates rather than addressing pressing needs in the state.
He also called on Governor Adeleke to explain the basis for approving the rehabilitation, maintaining that no recognised engineering professional body has reported any structural defect on the bridge since it was commissioned about four years ago.
Olabisi further urged stakeholders across Osun State to oppose the proposed rehabilitation, describing it as an avoidable use of public resources.