The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised Governor Ademola Adeleke’s directive to rehabilitate the Olaiya Flyover in Osogbo, arguing that the bridge remains structurally sound and does not require repair.
The opposition party’s reaction followed Governor Adeleke’s order for the immediate rehabilitation of the flyover ahead of the commissioning of the newly completed Okefia Flyover, another major infrastructure project executed by his administration.
During an inspection of the Olaiya Flyover, the governor expressed concern over its condition and directed the Ministry of Works to begin rehabilitation without delay.
According to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke said the bridge should be cleaned and properly maintained as part of the state’s infrastructure assets.
“The Ministry of Works should immediately act on this Olaiya bridge. Let us clean it up. It is a state asset. We must ensure its proper maintenance. This should be done before we commission the Okefia bridge,” the governor said.
Adeleke also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to preserving inherited public infrastructure, stressing that governance is a continuous process irrespective of the administration that initiated a project.
“I believe government is a continuum. All inherited projects are being completed by our government, and all completed projects by previous administrations must be appropriately maintained,” he added.
Reacting to the directive, Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, questioned the need for the proposed rehabilitation, insisting that the Olaiya Flyover, constructed during the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, remains in good condition.
Olabisi alleged that the planned rehabilitation could amount to unnecessary public spending, arguing that the state has more pressing needs requiring government attention.
“We consider the proposed rehabilitation of the flawless Olaiya Flyover by Governor Adeleke as a means of securing jobs for his political associates when other vital sectors of government are crying for urgent attention,” Olabisi said.
He further challenged the state government to explain the basis for approving the rehabilitation, noting that no recognised engineering professional body has reported any structural defects on the bridge since it was commissioned about four years ago.
The APC spokesperson also called on residents and stakeholders in the state to oppose the planned rehabilitation, describing it as an avoidable expenditure of public funds.
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