In a bid to meet the future traffic needs and prevent avoidable auto crashes, the Governor of the State of Osun has flagged off the construction of an overhead bridge in Osogbo, the state capital.
Governor Gboyega Oyetola said the project is a prompt response to addressing the future population explosion and enhancing the quality of lives of the people through timely infrastructure intervention.
The flyover which is expected to be completed in nine months is designed to accommodate articulate vehicles with intelligent lighting devices and smart control devices.
Oyetola explained that the fly-over would be financed through the Alternative Project Funding Approach (APFA).
The APFA means the contractor will fund the project, while the State repays the contractor over a period of time so as to enable government to free up resources for other important obligations.
The governor assured the residents that the construction would not in any way prevent the government from delivering on other dividends of good governance, such as: citizens’ welfare, regular payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, completion of ongoing projects and initiation of more.
Addressing the people at the ground-breaking, Oyetola said the project would cost 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).
The expenses comprised the net sum of N 2,688,748,552.74 and a 13.5 percent statutory deductions which include the percentage withholding tax, 7.5 percent Value Added Tax and 1 percent stamp duty deduction.
“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 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.
“Sadly too, there have been countless cases of accidents of commuters. I have personally witnessed few of these unfortunate incidents. We cannot afford to waste more lives.
“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”.
The Speaker, Osun House of Assembly, Mr Timothy Owoeye lauded Governor Oyetola for giving the state capital a facelift of socioeconomic and infrastructural development.
The Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mr Remi Omowaye said the project would go a long way to complement some of the new roads approved for construction and rehabilitation
A traditional ruler, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun applauded Governor Oyetola for prioritising the welfare and well-being of the people, just as he commended the government for deeming it fit to build the flyover to complement the existing road network.
The 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.
It is a 295.95m length of Bridge Approach Ramp, 196m long Fakunle Ramp, 99.95m long MDS Ramp, with slope of Ramp being 3 percent.
The Chairman of the construction company, Mr Abel Adeleke assured both the goverment and the residents of quality and standard service that can stand the test of time.
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