Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Monday defended the construction of the 2.38 kilometre Oyemekun‑Oba Adesida flyover in Akure, the state capital, stressing that President Bola Tinubu’s remark on governors constructing unnecessary flyovers was not directed at him.
According to the governor, the construction of the flyover was a necessity due to the constant traffic congestion along that corridor.
President Tinubu had, a few weeks ago, frowned at state governors for prioritising the construction of flyovers over more pressing infrastructure needs, despite what he described as a rise in monthly allocations to states since he assumed office.
While speaking at Cathedral Junction, where the flag-off was done, the governor maintained that the flyover was not a vanity project but a practical response to solving a decades-old problem.
“Let me quickly remind all of us, especially those naysayers that never see anything good in what we are doing. This is not the kind of location Mr President was referring to when he said governors should stop building flyovers. This is not the kind.
“He said they should not erect them where they are unnecessary. So you must add the other side of his speech. Do not quote Mr President out of context; he said where it is necessary, you can do it. This one is more than necessary, and that is why we are doing it.”
Tinubu’s stance on ‘unnecessary’ flyovers not targeted at Ondo – Gov Aiyedatiwa