Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has reaffirmed his commitment to public safety by banning heavy-duty trucks and trailers from using the Olaiya Flyover.

This change is intended to protect both the infrastructure and the people who rely on this transportation route.

In a statement issued through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Thursday, Governor Adeleke clarified that the decision to impose this ban is from concerns raised during a recent meeting of the State Security Council.

The council’s members expressed alarm over the increasing number of large trucks and trailers on Osun roads, emphasizing the risks associated with such heavy traffic on the bridge.

Governor Adeleke also took the opportunity to address recent accusations of political bias from the opposition, particularly from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The APC leadership has criticized the ban as unnecessary and has called for evidence to support the claims regarding the bridge’s safety.

In response, the Governor brought to notice that the decision was not only driven by safety concerns but also based on substantial technical assessments.

He pointed out that multiple technical reports have highlighted the condition of certain sections of the Olaiya Flyover in recent weeks.

As early as January, public interest engineers had approached the government requesting an integrity test for the bridge.

Recently, national leaders from the construction industry conducted a technical visit and reached similar conclusions regarding the urgent need for action.

Several state officials have also evaluated the bridge, echoing the call for immediate measures to ensure public safety while preserving the structure.

The Governor encouraged the public to engage in their own assessments of the bridge, asserting that transparency and accountability are key to maintaining trust in governance.

Furthermore, Governor Adeleke noted that a recent surge in heavy-duty traffic on Osun roads has necessitated quick measures.

Road closures along the Ibadan-Ogbomoso route have diverted more trucks to Osun, increasing the load on the Olaiya Flyover.

Governor Adeleke emphasized his obligation to safeguard public assets and the well-being of residents.

He reassured the public that all actions taken were in the interest of safety, free from any political influence.