Oyetola flags off Olaiya flyover, says project will meet traffic needs
Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Thursday flagged off the construction of Olaiya flyover in Osogbo.
He said the project was in swift response to the need to secure the future population explosion, meet traffic needs, eradicate needless auto crash and enhance the quality of lives of the people through timely and prompt infrastructure development.
The proposed flyover, which will be handled by Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited, is a 4-span of 15m each, with two Underpass bays for U-turning to Fakunle/Justrite and MDS/Post Office.
The flyover, which is designed to accommodate articulated vehicles with intelligent lightening devices and smart traffic control devices, is expected to be completed in nine months.
Addressing the people at the ceremony, Governor Oyetola disclosed that the project would cost the State a total sum of Three Billion, One Hundred and Eight Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-Nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Twenty-Nine Naira, Seventy-Six Kobo (N 3,108,379,829.76).
Oyetola diaclosed that the project would be funded through the Alternative Project Funding Approach (APFA).
He added that the construction of the flyover would not in any way stop the government from delivering on other dividends of good governance, including citizens’ welfare, regular payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, completion of ongoing projects and initiation of more.
“Indeed, the adoption of Alternative Project Funding Approach is another leg in our model of creative funding of projects in a depressed economy and an assurance that we shall always keep our pact with our people.
“The Olaiya Flyover project is in response to the need to enhance the quality of lives of our people and improve the infrastructure our city, which in recent years is becoming more populated and boisterous on account of increasing business activities.
“The implication of this is the growing traffic around major routes in the State and specifically, the Olaiya axis, leading to waste of man hours by residents in our State.
“Besides, response to the infrastructure needs and demands of a growing city is a proactive exercise. Therefore, this flyover is a project for today and the future because when the project is completed, we are assured that it will significantly eradicate traffic hassles and make the lives of our valued citizens more secured.”
Governor Oyetola, who assured the residents, particularly business owners around the site, of government’s consciousness to their livelihood, said, “we are therefore appealing to owners of businesses around the project site to bear with us, as we will try as much as possible to minimise inconvenience.
“I urge you all to bear with us as we strive to improve the socioeconomic status of our State, and I assure you all that this project will be completed in record time,” Oyetola added.
In his remarks, Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Remi Omowaye, said the idea to construct the flyover was conceptualised as part of efforts to reduce traffic, lessen accident rate and advance the infrastructure development in the State.
Also speaking, the Chairman/CEO Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited, Mr. Abel Adeleke, assured the government and residents of quality and standard service that can stand the test of time.
“What we are operating in Osun is based on integrity and this project will be done in such a way that will not impact negatively on the debt profile of the State. We are glad to have this opportunity and I assure you that we will deliver the project within the stipulated time,” he stressed.
