Driving through the Olaiya junction as it were, would cause blood pressure staggered as if from Olympic hurdles with perennial traffic gridlocks that holed up free movement of vehicles and oft-caused motorists to lose caution and crashed others just as road carnages, resulting from pedestrian reckless crossings at the junction were not uncommon.
Crimes, insecurity and litany of abuses or odd nature were synonymous with the Olaiya junction, dangerous and deadly, death’s own junction plagued with safety and security issues. And made worst by security enforcement units, fond of wrongly fleecing motorists, extorting hard earned money through dubious charges that got motorists frustrated by the day at the traffic snarls. Hellish, chaotic with considerable corrosive impact on daily businesses and economy. Police, other law enforcement activists only increased the anxiety level, going by the opinion polls wrapped around the axis.
Contrastingly, the Olaiya flyover, a gargantuan transformation fully completed, one full stretch of urban redevelopment project in the once lethargic Olaiya junction, is a huge complement to Oyetola’s massive road buildings and re-buildings, across the state, a vital component of the state development agenda. The integration advantage of the Olaiya flyover project is linking cities in and out of Osun to expand inter- cosmopolis commerce and inter-metropolis trade, to make Osogbo megapolis grow and develop rapidly; and Osun to wax to a truly modern state of socio-economic value.
The Olaiya flyover, looking elegant is Oyetola’s rocket, propelling the state to a potential power broker in the nation’s economy. The flyover is not one of such luxury things. In Osun, it is a necessity spurred to further the growth of businesses, investments and other germane potentials to unlock innovation, competition, gender diversity, and equal opportunities for all.
The flyover is not the only milestone that keeps the people of Osun excited about Oyetola’s governing All Progressives Congress (APC). The state has a number of other creditable projects which make life and living a lot better for the governed. And never a time had the people of the state parroted any dashed credence in Oyetola to accuse him of failing to improve the state economy.
While allegations are rife in the other federating states with some governors embarking on phony, fictional, spurious projects that have no direct impact on the people who elected them, Osun Governor has conscientiously sought and effected greater wellbeing of the electorate.
Oyetola has revolutionized the state economy for improved internally generated revenue (IGR) for the prosperity of the state by creating an enabling environment for investments in mining, tourism, culture and agriculture with motivated civil service, ensuring maximum productivity apropos, pertinent to the implementation of laudable policies and programmes in education, health, sports, and environment. Other sectors as well.
For adequate maintenance of the flyover, let there be a limited, zero control and ownership of the Olaiya flyover by the government, implying in Mr. Governor’s when he said at the opening of the flyover for public use: “I want to enjoin the road users to put the infrastructural facilities into good use. They should see this as theirs which must be properly maintained and treasured.” That’s Oyetola, professionalizing the maintenance of the new bridge on daily basis.
Really, it could be a misadventure if the government should be in the direct charge of the maintenance of the Olaiya flyover. Bureaucracy, its delay and time- consuming culture that involves stages to procure approvals, cannot take on the spot decisions on the daily management of the bridge.
Maintenance of the Olaiya flyover could best be managed by the technical arm of O’YES, constantly bearing in mind the _Omoluabi-sm_ of the state and the government, providing standing platform, directives to promote highest competent maintenance standards, strategically to increase efficient, proficient and value – added maintenance of the bridge. In that wise, the quality of the Olaiya flyover gets appreciated by the day and the confidence of the road users increased. And Osun government will be proud of this.
Oyetola added, “Security measures have been put in place particularly around the bridge,” apparently to get the law enforcement units coordinated and enhanced to effectively protect the axis from any emerging threats to pose by traffic men themselves, touts, miscreants, mindless traders, hawkers, and check reckless driving from becoming alarming norm to earn the Olaiya bridge a reputation away from being a dangerous and deadly spot. The bridge, its environs is lit with fair lights to help driving easier in the day, also at night.
Mr. Governor had earlier appreciated the state capital residents for their endurance and cautioned them against driving against traffic rules. By this, Oyetola and the Osun publics share mutual turf or track on which the best has always played out by his elevated performances in office that have continued to sustain striking democracy, distinct from what obtains in other states. His is an era of accountability, disparate, different from some other governors, wallowing in profligacy.
Oyetola does not belong to the slothful others who reap the governed.
*(Concluded)*
*_OLUSESI writes at the Foot of the Most Merciful. Most Gracious. All-knowing_*
