Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson for Osun State Governor, has stated that the prohibition on trucks going over the Olaiya Flyover in Osogbo was only precautionary.
Rasheed made this known in a statement released on Thursday in reaction to allegations leveled against Adeleke by the state’s All Progressive Congress.
During a news conference hosted by the immediate past Commissioner for Works, Mr. Oluremi Omowaiye, who oversaw the project, the Osun APC accused Adeleke of scheming to demolish the flyover out of resentment for his predecessor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola.
Omowaiye then demanded the technical report used by Adeleke to impose a ban on vehicles using the flyover, stating that testing were conducted at every stage of the bridge’s construction to guarantee that maximum quality standards were fulfilled.
However, in response to claims of political prejudice by APC leaders, Rasheed stated that Adeleke barred heavy-duty trucks and trailers from using the Olaiya bridge to ensure public safety, and that there was no decision to demolish the bridge.
He further stated that the decision was a resolution of the State Security Council meeting, whose members expressed concern over the recent inflow of trailers and heavy-duty trucks on Osun roadways.
He said that public safety was both the primary and secondary rationale for 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.
