Osun gov defends ban on trucks passing Olaiya flyover

The spokesperson for Osun State Governor, Olawale Rasheed, has insisted that the ban placed on trucks from passing Olaiya Flyover in Osogbo was precautionary.

Rasheed made this known in a statement obtained on Thursday in response to allegations against Adeleke by the All Progressives Congress in the state.

Osun APC, during a press conference addressed by the immediate past Commissioner for Works, Mr. Oluremi Omowaiye, who supervised the project, accused Adeleke of plotting to demolish the flyover in a display of bitterness against his predecessor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola.

Omowaiye subsequently demanded the technical report relied on by Adeleke before placing a ban on trucks from plying the flyover, insisting that at every stage of the construction work on the bridge, tests were carried out to ensure that maximum quality requirements were met.

But Rasheed, while responding to allegations of political bias by the APC leaders, said Adeleke banned heavy-duty trucks and trailers from plying the Olaiya bridge to ensure public safety, adding that there was no decision to demolish the bridge.

He also said the decision was also a resolution of the State Security Council meeting, whose members raised alarm over the recent influx of trailers and heavy-duty trucks on Osun roads.

He added that public safety was the primary and secondary motivation behind the decision.

Rasheed said, “The governor has a sacred duty to take steps to secure public assets and residents, especially in the face of two major developments in the last few weeks.

“Several technical reports have been submitted to the Governor on the deteriorating state of some sections of the bridge in recent times. As early as January, some public interest engineers approached the government to conduct an integrity test on the bridge. A similar conclusion was reached recently during a technical visit to the state by some national leaders of the construction industry.

“Several state leaders have also visited and examined the bridge with a verdict of urgency of action to preserve the assets while at the same time ensuring public safety. Members of the public can also conduct similar visits on top and around the bridge.

“While the technical review is ongoing, a new development in the transport sector warranted a preemptive action to limit the load burden on the bridge. Due to road closure along the Ibadan-Ogbomoso axis, more heavy-duty trucks now use Osun roads, mostly passing through the bridge. Banning those trailers foreclosed any untoward happenings.

“I also want to inform the opposition that it was at the State Security Council meeting composed of security services commanders that the safety issue around Olaiya bridge was raised and resolution taken. All actors genuinely acted in the interest of the general public without political bias.