Lameco Bridge Collapse Vindicates Olubadan’s Decision to Boycott Commissioning; Osun APC Claims

The Osun State All Progressives Congress Campaign Council has labelled the major structural defect discovered on Lameco Flyover Bridge recently commissioned by the state Governor, Ademola Adeleke, as a vindication of decision by the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, to boycott the commissioning of the project.

While expressing concern over the huge crack spotted at a section of the bridge, the campaign council of the APC’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, held that Oba Ladoja’s decision not to honour the invitation for the project commissioning is justified as the council alleged that that the project was poorly executed.

The Oyebamiji’s campaign council made this known in a statement issued on Friday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Oluremi Omowaiye.

As contained in the statement, the council declared the structural defect on the newly commission bridge as unacceptable while disclosing advising the Olubadan against attending the commissioning of the project.

‘There are reports of confirmed visible signs of structural failure on the flyover, including a deep pothole and other distress points that raise serious questions about the quality of construction and the integrity of the entire project.

‘These disturbing developments, coming barely a month after the commissioning, are unacceptable and constitute a direct threat to the lives of innocent road users.

‘This unfortunate development has vindicated the decision of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, a distinguished engineer, to distance himself from the commissioning ceremony despite being invited by the Ademola Adeleke administration.

‘The revered monarch neither attended the event nor sent a representative.

‘It would be recalled that the Osun APC had publicly advised Kabiyesi not to allow his impeccable professional reputation and standing as an engineer to be exploited by the state government in an attempt to confer credibility on a project whose quality had already become a subject of public concern.’ Omowaiye wrote.

The council spokesperson maintained that the collapsing bridge have proved beyond doubt that Oba Ladoja exercised sound professional judgment with his decision to boycott the commissioning of the bridge.

Omowaiye alleged that the project was awarded to company known for skills acquisition, arts and craft training programmes rather than core construction engineering expertise.

This, according to the Osun APC Campaign Council spokesperson, raised questions over the procurement standards.

‘Like many projects executed under the current administration, the LAMECO Flyover was awarded to Kimzee Global Investment, a company known primarily for skills acquisition as well as arts and craft training programmes for youths and women.

‘The decision to entrust a critical infrastructure project of this magnitude to such a “contractor” raises fundamental questions about procurement standards, due diligence and the government’s commitment to public safety.’ He said.

Omowaiye further accused the Adeleke-led administration of lack of transparency during the construction of the project which, according to him, was never a priority project.

‘Even more disturbing are allegations that the project cost the people of Osun over ₦20 billion following multiple variations carried out secretly and without transparency.

‘It is scandalous that such enormous public resources could be expended on a project now exhibiting signs of structural distress within days of its commissioning.

‘Beyond the controversy surrounding the cost and contractor, the flyover itself was never a priority project, as traffic studies and daily realities do not justify such an expensive intervention.’ He said.

Omowaiye labelled the delivery of the project as a betrayal of public trust.

‘The Adeleke government has repeatedly been accused of awarding multi-billion-naira projects to companies whose backgrounds have little or no connection with civil engineering, with many of such projects developing defects shortly after completion.

‘Reports have similarly emerged that the newly commissioned Ila road project is already showing signs of structural stress, while the purported dualised road in Iwo, handled by Showie Tee Limited, an interior decoration company, has begun requiring patchwork only days after its commissioning.’ He claimed.