Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Monday flagged off the construction of a 2.38-kilometre flyover bridge along the Oyemekun–Oba Adesida Road corridor in Akure, describing the project as a strategic intervention to ease traffic congestion and stimulate economic growth in the state capital.
The 94-span flyover, which will run from Adegbola Junction through Ojaoba and Adegbemile-Omieja to St Mathias/NNPC Filling Station in Alagbaka, is part of the administration’s urban renewal and infrastructure development agenda.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the project would provide a modern transport solution to improve mobility, enhance road safety and facilitate the movement of people and goods along one of the busiest corridors in Akure.
The governor said the project was the product of careful planning, technical appraisal and extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders.
According to him, the Oyemekun–Oba Adesida corridor serves as a major commercial, administrative and social artery connecting markets, financial institutions, schools, places of worship and densely populated residential areas.
“It is the corridor through which the economic life of Akure pulses daily. Yet, with growth has come considerable strain. Increasing population, rising vehicular movement and expanding commercial activities have created persistent congestion and heightened the risk of road accidents,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa said the persistent congestion had negatively affected productivity, discouraged investment and compromised the safety and well-being of residents.
He explained that the flyover and associated road improvements would ease traffic around Adegbola, Oba Adesida and Alagbaka, while reducing travel time, vehicle operating costs and air pollution associated with prolonged traffic delays.
The governor said the project would further strengthen Akure’s position as a competitive and investor-friendly capital capable of attracting businesses, retaining talent and creating opportunities for young people.
“When traders at Oba Adesida Market can move their goods with ease, when students can get to school on time, when patients can reach hospitals without delay, and when workers can return home safely, then, we would have succeeded in translating policy into tangible benefits,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa charged the contractor to execute the project in line with approved designs, specifications and timelines, while maintaining high standards of quality, safety and professionalism.
He also appealed to residents, traders, transport unions and other stakeholders to cooperate with the government and contractor throughout the construction period.
The governor said the project reflected his administration’s commitment to prudent fiscal management and the deployment of public resources to projects with clear and measurable benefits.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Abiola Olawoye, said the flyover had become necessary because the road corridor was operating about 50 per cent above its design capacity.
Olawoye said the ministry considered several options for addressing the congestion before settling on the flyover as the most practical solution.
He explained that the Ojaoba–Oba Adesida Road was originally constructed as a major township road around 1974 in the then Western State and converted to a dual carriageway in 1978.
According to him, the road was expanded from 7.3 metres to 9.3 metres in 2001 by the administration of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, with no major construction carried out along the corridor since then despite significant increases in population and vehicular traffic.
He said the government opted for a flyover to address the congestion without resorting to extensive demolition of properties along the corridor.
The commissioner said the structure would be about 2.4 kilometres long, including a 320-metre starting ramp and a 200-metre ending ramp at Adegbola and Omieja A Division, giving a combined ramp length of about 520 metres.
Olawoye also listed several road projects completed by the administration in Akure, including Ajegunle Road; Odopetun–Oke Padi–Lao Road; Gbangbalogun–Odole–Odi Olowo Road; Bye-pass–Gbogi Street; UBA Road–The Stream in Alagbaka; Oja Oshodi Road; SK Bright Road; Ayeloro Road; Akosile Road; Maronu Road; Plaza Road; Bishop Court–Civil Service Commission Road; Site–Government House–CBN Road; Igoba Road; roads in Ajipowo and Afunbiowo estates; and Alagbaka Extension–SIB Road.
He added that several other road projects were ongoing across the Central Senatorial District, including the 15.5km Imafon–Danjuma Road, 10km Oke Aro–Idanre dual carriageway and 7.7km Akure–Ijare Road.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, expressed appreciation to Governor Aiyedatiwa for the projects being executed in Akure and other parts of the state.
The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, commended the governor for initiating the flyover and reconstructing adjoining roads, saying the projects would improve movement and address traffic challenges along major corridors in the city.
Also, the Owa Araromi Omoladan, Oba Jayeoba Bamidele Alabi, praised the governor for his infrastructure development efforts across the state.
The Managing Director of Bulletin Construction Company, Chief Faysal Harb, assured the governor that the company would deliver the project according to specifications and within schedule.
Harb, who recalled the company’s involvement in the expansion of Ilesha Garage Road about two decades ago, said the flyover project would be the second major project undertaken by the company in Ondo State.
He promised to minimise disruption to residents and businesses during construction.
“We work day and night to make sure we deliver this project,” Harb said.
The ceremony was attended by the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Head of Service, Chief Olusegun Odusanya; State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde; members of the State Executive Council and House of Assembly; LCDA chairmen; traditional rulers; religious leaders; political appointees; permanent secretaries and other dignitaries.