Priscilla Ofunre, Ado-Ekiti
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State 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.
Governor 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 had already swung into action with some remedial measures to ensure the flood no longer cause further havoc on the people of the state.
He said the bridge was too small to contain the high flow of water during heavy downpour, adding that though the road belonged to the Federal Government, the state government would not hesitate to ensure that something urgently was done to ameliorate the situation and save the lives of people passing through the road.
The governor disclosed that he had already contacted Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), who had promised to ensure that something was done urgently to address the issue.
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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 measure, that is our concern and that is why we reacted to it the way we did yesterday by mobilising 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.
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“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 the 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.
