Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has reiterated his ban on heavy-duty trucks and trailers from using the Olaiya Flyover to prioritize public safety.
Adeleke clarified that his administration has no plans to demolish the bridge. In a statement released on Thursday through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, he explained that the decision to prohibit heavy-duty vehicles was a resolution made by the State Security Council, which raised concerns about the recent increase of trailers and trucks on Osun roads.
He emphasized that the main motivation behind this action is public safety. The statement was issued in response to allegations of political bias from the opposition, led by the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC had previously criticized the ban as unnecessary and demanded evidence to support claims regarding the bridge’s safety. In turn, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) defended Adeleke’s decision, stating it was prompted by concerns raised by motorists using the Olaiya Flyover.
Adeleke asserted that he has a crucial responsibility to safeguard public assets and residents, particularly following two significant developments in recent weeks. He noted that multiple technical reports have highlighted the deteriorating condition of certain sections of the bridge. Engineers had approached the government as early as January to conduct an integrity test, and similar concerns were echoed by national construction industry leaders during a recent visit.
Additionally, state officials have inspected the bridge and concluded that urgent action is necessary to protect the structure while ensuring public safety. The governor encouraged the public to conduct their own assessments of the bridge.
He explained that the ongoing technical review and recent changes in the transport sector necessitated preemptive measures to reduce the load on the bridge. With road closures on the Ibadan-Ogbomoso route, heavy-duty trucks have increasingly diverted to Osun roads, particularly through the bridge. The ban on these vehicles aims to prevent potential incidents.
Lastly, Adeleke informed the opposition that the safety concerns regarding the Olaiya Flyover were addressed at a State Security Council meeting, where commanders from various security services participated, ensuring that all actions were taken in the public’s interest without political influence.