Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said the State Government
would urgently address the collapsing Ureje Bridge in Ado-Ekiti in
collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
Dr. Fayemi, who spoke while carrying out inspection of the flood
ravaged bridge and some other flooded areas in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday,
said his government has already swung into action with some remedial
measures to ensure that the flood no longer cause further havoc in the
state.
He said the bridge was too narrow to contain the high flow of water
during heavy downpour, adding that though the road belong to the
Federal Government, the State Government would not hesitate to ensure
that something was done urgently to ameliorate the situation and save
the lives of people passing through the road.
The Governor disclosed that he had already contacted the Federal
Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who had
promised to ensure that something was done urgently to address the
issue.
According to the Governor, “It is good you accepted that this is a
Federal Government road, but for us, we don’t make a distinction
between Federal and State roads because at the end of the day, it is
Ekiti people who ply this road regularly. We do not have a choice than
to take remedial measures. That is our concern and that is why we
reacted to it the way we did yesterday by mobilizing into this place
to ensure that at least we allow for safe passage.
But clearly, a much more comprehensive measure has to be taken. This
culvert cannot withstand the flow of water, it’s too small, there is
no rain now, look at the flow, so imagine what will happen if there is
heavy downpour in this area, it will totally overflow the entire
culvert. So, we do not have a choice than to take remedial measures
that we’ve taken but the remedial measure could not do.
I spent a great deal of time speaking to the Federal Minister of Works
yesterday about this, and while he thanked us for taking the measures
we’ve taken, he also acknowledged the fact that they have to do their
part. They’ve awarded the road, but I don’t think the bridge was
included in the work that they did, that’s why I asked the Federal
controller to join me, and I’m sure he will report back to his own
Ministry on the effort that are being taken.
We have the Federal Polytechnic, you have the Afe Babalola University,
you would also note that this is the route to the Knowledge Zone, so
for us, it is a priority that this road is properly addressed so that
whether it’s the Airport or the Knowledge Zone, all of those
facilities that are very dear to us in the state, we don’t want to
lose any of such and it’s absolutely important that we do our own part
and we would continue to do it.
We would still come and take additional measures because bureaucracy
would not necessarily allow the Federal Government what they are
supposed to do in the shortest possible time”.
Speaking on behalf of the students plying the road, a Students’ Union
Leader from the Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Comrade Ajayi
Olasegun, commended the State Government for the swift action already
taken to bring a temporary solution to the problem, adding that a
permanent solution was however needed.
Olasegun, who said not fewer than 15,000 students and lecturers pass
through the road every day, appealed to government to do something
urgently to ameliorate the suffering they may likely encounter if the
bridge was not permanently fixed.
