It is over a year since the Osun State Government closed down Olaiya, a central commercial area in Osogbo, the state capital.
The Olaiya intersection was on Thursday, February 18, 2021, closed down.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Transportation, Olatoke Olaniyan, announced that Olaiya would be closed down for nine months for the construction of a 625-metre flyover to arrest the incessant and avoidable accidents and gridlock associated with the area.
Since the closure of the Olaiya intersection, many businesses have been affected while transport fare in Osogbo was also increased by 100 percent.
Inflation, according to analysts, poses a great danger to the micro economy of the state capital.
Many dignities including monarch; Oluwo of Iwo, among others have inspected the flyover after the completion.
Meanwhile, there is speculation among the people that Governor Gboyega Oyetola is delaying the opening of the flyover purposely for his second term campaign.
Since Monday, many Twitter users have been asking the state government to open the flyover for use and to ease the movement and economy of the state capital.
In a series of tweets by @InsideOsogbo, it asked the state government to end the blockage of that important road that has affected numerous lives and businesses.
“At the official flag-off ceremony of the construction of the Ọlá-Ìyá Flyover in February 2021, the @StateofOsun promised that the project will be commissioned for use after Nine Months. It’s over a year already & that important part of Òṣogbo is still blocked. #OpenOlaiya4use
“Dear @StateofOsun @GboyegaOyetola @Benedictalab @remiteo, we appreciate you for the construction of the Ọlá-Ìyá Flyover. However, we write to inform you that the unending blockage of that important road has affected numerous lives and businesses. Kindly #OpenOlaiya4use.
Thanks.”
“ICYDK: Emergency Service Providers always go through hell whenever there’s an emergency situation around Jálẹ́yẹmi, Odi-Olówó, or Fágbewésà axis. There was a day a particular firetruck on a rescue mission got stuck in traffic along Gbódófọn Area. #OpenOlaiya4use.”
Another Twitter user, @Akeem49ice accused the government of intending to use the flyover to play politics.
“Gov won use am campaign. That is the difference between white people and black people. We tend to play politics with everything in our possession at the detriment of others’ wellbeing.
The convener of Urban Alert, Tony Adejuwon tweeted, “Businesses around Olaiya has crippled for the past 11months. People have families to feed and the economy is tough already.
“It is inhumane to prioritize flamboyant commissioning over people’s livelihood and ease. Periodic release of route plan is deceitful. #OpenOlaiya4use”
@Mazota_, “We join thousands of residents of Osogbo asking the Osun State Government to open the Olaiya flyover for use. Businesses around Olaiya are crippled while moving around the town has been difficult due to the closure of the heart of Osogbo.
#OpenOlaiya4use”
Another tweeter user, @Phunmie_A tweeted, “We are tired of the stress. There is fuel scarcity yet we can’t move freely @GboyegaOyetola please open Olaiya for use Edakun #OpenOlaiya4use”
Also, @simeonboxco tweeted, “I support the millions of Osun residents calling for the opening of the completed Olaiya Flyover. This is not that people should be able to use the bridge particularly but to ease the pressure on other roads that have been in place in Osogbo for close to a Year. #OpenOlaiya4use”
A Twitter handle, @trendings247 tweeted, “Politicians should consider the economic implications of their games and their effect on citizens. I spend an extra fee on transportation to work @lukmanadeotillc because of Osun State’s government delay in opening Olaiya flyover in Osogbo. #OpenOlaiya4use.”
In his reaction, the state’s Commissioner for Works and Transportation, Remi Omowaiye, while speaking with DAILY POST said the bridge would be open in hours for a test run.
According to him, “It will be open in a couple of hours. There is an installation ongoing that will be completed today. Once it is completed it will be open just for people to know how it will be operated.”
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Transportation, Olaniyan assured that the bridge would be open in two to three days, but for a test run alone.
He said that after the test run, the date for the commissioning would be announced.
He said the reason for the delay is to ensure adequate protection for the facilities to stem the possibility of any vandalization or theft.
“The facilities are in the open. We have challenges with our road government properties along Owode Ede down to Osogbo; all our street lights have been stolen or vandalized so we don’t want a situation again. We want to ensure that we provide adequate protection to the facilities we have installed. We are looking at completing the protection wall today. God willing, in the next one or two days we will open the Olaiya bridge, then we will announce the day of the official commissioning of the road later,” he said.
