The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State has criticised the state government’s decision to rehabilitate the Olaiya Flyover in Osogbo, arguing that the structure remains in good condition and does not require repair works.
The opposition party’s reaction followed a directive issued by Governor Ademola Adeleke ordering the immediate rehabilitation of the flyover before the official commissioning of the newly constructed Okefia Flyover, another major infrastructure project undertaken by his administration.
Governor Adeleke had expressed concern over what he described as the deteriorating condition of the Olaiya Flyover during an inspection, instructing the Ministry of Works to commence rehabilitation without delay.
According to a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke said the bridge should be cleaned and 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 reiterated his administration’s commitment to maintaining inherited public projects, stressing that governance is a continuous process regardless of which administration 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.
Responding in a statement, Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi questioned the necessity of the proposed rehabilitation, insisting that the flyover, which was constructed during the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, remains structurally sound.
Olabisi alleged that the rehabilitation proposal could become an unnecessary expenditure at a time when, according to him, other sectors of the state require more urgent 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 stated.
The APC spokesperson further called on Governor Adeleke to explain the basis for approving the rehabilitation, maintaining that no recognised engineering professional body had reported any structural defect on the bridge since it was commissioned about four years ago.
He also urged stakeholders across Osun State to oppose the planned rehabilitation, describing it as an avoidable use of public resources.