Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday commenced the construction of a 2.38-kilometre flyover in Akure, declaring that the project would tackle worsening traffic congestion and create a better environment for economic activities.
The bridge will connect Adegbola Junction with the St Mathias/NNPC Filling Station area in Alagbaka, passing through Ojaoba and Adegbemile-Omieja along the Oyemekun–Oba Adesida Road corridor.
Aiyedatiwa said the project was conceived in response to the pressure created by the growing population, increasing number of vehicles and expanding commercial activities in the state capital.
According to him, the intervention will improve traffic flow, shorten travel time and lower the cost of transportation, while also reducing the environmental impact associated with vehicles spending long periods in traffic.
He said the corridor remained critical to the daily life of Akure because it links major markets, schools, financial institutions, worship centres, offices and residential communities.
Aiyedatiwa added that the project was part of his administration’s broader plan to upgrade infrastructure and make Akure more attractive to businesses, investors and skilled professionals.
The Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Abiola Olawoye, said the road had exceeded its original capacity by about 50 per cent, making a major intervention unavoidable. He explained that several solutions were examined before the government selected the flyover as the most practical option.
The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, praised the administration for embarking on the project, saying the bridge and related road improvements would ease transportation difficulties across the city.
The Managing Director of Bulletin Construction Company, Chief Faysal Harb, pledged that his firm would complete the project within the agreed timeframe and in line with the required standards.
Harb said, “We work day and night to make sure we deliver this project,” while assuring residents that the contractor would take steps to limit inconveniences during the construction period.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami, Speaker of the state House of Assembly Olamide Oladiji, Secretary to the State Government Taiwo Fasoranti, Chief of Staff Segun Omojuwa, Head of Service Olusegun Odusanya, APC chairman Kolawole Babatunde, traditional rulers and other government officials.