The Transparency and Accountability Group (TAG), has called on Governor Gboyega Oyetola to immediately stop the plans to construct a flyover at the Olaiya junction in Osogbo, Osun state.
A statement signed by the spokesperson of TAG, Ayodeji Ologun, described the construction of flyover as a needless expense for the state government at the moment and will amount to a waste of the state’s scarce resources.
Ologun who is a member of the panel of enquiry on police brutality, said “having carefully observed the current level of service of the Olaiya intersection, we can say from a professional point of view that constructing a flyover is an overkill and a waste of State funds at best.
“The reported accidents at Olaiya intersection have been due to impatience of drivers, racing to beat traffic signal time on one hand, and the periodic dysfunctionality of the traffic signal system at the intersection, on the other hand. Accidents at this intersection can be avoided if traffic rules are enforced strictly and the traffic signals made to function optimally.
Noting that the award of the flyover are shrouded in secrecy, the group demanded that the Osun State government should stop with immediate effect, the plans to construct a flyover at the Olaiya intersection, failure to do which it will be forced to approach a Court of Law to effect this demand.
“The funds meant for construction of the flyover be mobilised toward construction of other roads of strategic importance to the State. These will include expansion and redesign of the Oke-Fia intersection which should be given utmost importance.
“That traffic laws be strictly enforced at the Olaiya intersection and the traffic signals be better optimized to include the Green-Amber-Red default design of traffic signals. The intersection is already channelled and an upgrade of the traffic signals will achieve optimal results.
“That the State Government must henceforth abide by the provisions of the 2015 procurement law in the award of every project, failing to do which we will be compelled to drag it before a Court of Law.”
