Residents Question ₦15 Billion Lagere Flyover as FG Embarks on ₦12 Billion 56km Road in Osun,By Salam Mustapha

Critics Slam PDP Administration for Misplaced Priorities and Questionable Spending

The Federal Government has commenced the construction of a 56-kilometer road in Eti-Oni, Atakumosa East Local Government Area of Osun State, at an estimated cost of ₦12 billion. This long-overdue project seeks to address a 40-year infrastructure deficit, enhance road connectivity, and stimulate economic activities in the region. The initiative has been widely lauded as a step in the right direction for sustainable development.

In sharp contrast, the Osun State Government, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke of the PDP, has come under heavy criticism for awarding a ₦15 billion contract for a flyover in Lagere, Ile-Ife, which spans less than a kilometer. Critics have condemned the project for its exorbitant cost and for prioritizing it over other pressing infrastructure and social needs in the state.

Additionally, the state government is spending ₦16.5 billion on the dualization of a 6.2-kilometer road from Ereja Square to International Breweries in Ilesa. Meanwhile, the Federal Government’s ₦12 billion allocation covers 56 kilometers of road, connecting multiple communities, including Ilesa to Eti-Oni, Oke-Igbo in Ondo State, Eti-Oni to Iperindo, and Eti-Oni to Igangan Ijesa.

The stark disparity in the scope and cost of these projects has fueled criticism of the Adeleke administration’s fiscal decisions. Many residents and stakeholders argue that the ₦15 billion allocated for the flyover could have been redirected toward more impactful initiatives, such as rehabilitating inner roads in Ile-Ife, upgrading healthcare facilities, or improving educational infrastructure—projects that would have broader and more direct benefits for the populace.

Observers have also pointed out that previous administrations in Osun appeared to manage infrastructure projects with greater transparency and cost-efficiency. In comparison, the Federal Government’s road project has been praised for its focus on long-term, people-centered development, addressing critical infrastructure deficits in underserved communities.

The debate over these contrasting projects has sparked broader conversations about governance and leadership in Osun State. While the Federal Government’s efforts appear to prioritize resolving enduring infrastructure challenges, the Adeleke administration’s focus on high-cost, low-impact projects has left many residents frustrated and dissatisfied.

Residents and stakeholders are calling for increased accountability and judicious use of public funds in the state. They demand that resources be directed toward initiatives that genuinely address critical needs, rather than projects perceived as politically motivated or fiscally wasteful.

“May God deliver Osun State from the hands of lavish spenders,” one resident lamented, echoing the growing sentiment for prudent governance in the state.