The Osun State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has defended the integrity of the LAMECO Flyover in Osogbo, dismissing claims that the damaged section of the bridge amounts to a structural failure. The ministry maintained that all public infrastructure projects undertaken by the state are subjected to strict engineering supervision, laboratory testing and transparent procurement procedures.
The clarification was made during a meeting between officials of the ministry and the World Institute for Peace and Media at the ministry’s headquarters in Abere. The engagement followed the organisation’s recent protest over the damaged portion of the newly commissioned flyover.
Speaking at the meeting, the Executive Director of the World Institute for Peace and Media, Lamina Kamiludeen Omotoyosi, said the organisation sought the engagement to make it clear that its earlier protest was driven by public interest and not political considerations.
He explained that the group requested clarification on the contractors handling the LAMECO Flyover project, the quality assurance measures put in place by the government and the procedures adopted in awarding major infrastructure contracts.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Idowu Bashir Bello, said contractors handling government projects are subjected to strict supervision by experienced ministry engineers, regardless of the administration in power.
Bello noted that he has served as a professional engineer under five Osun State governors—Chief Bisi Akande, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Adegboyega Oyetola and Governor Ademola Adeleke—adding that engineering standards have remained unchanged across successive administrations.
“The same Ministry of Works engineers who supervised projects under previous governments are still supervising projects today. If anyone condemns projects certified by the ministry, it simply means they are condemning projects executed under successive administrations because the same professional standards have remained in place,” he said.
He listed major infrastructure delivered across different administrations, including the State Secretariat built under Chief Bisi Akande; the Old Garage–Abere–Akoda Dual Carriageway and Aregbe Bridge completed during the Oyinlola administration; the Gbongan Interchange and several bridges constructed under Aregbesola; the Olaiya Flyover delivered during Oyetola’s tenure; as well as the Okefia, LAMECO and Lagere flyovers alongside several dual carriageway projects being executed under Governor Adeleke.
Addressing concerns over the LAMECO Flyover, Bello explained that every government construction contract comes with a defect liability period during which contractors are required to rectify any defects identified after project completion.
He disclosed that the government retains five per cent of every contract sum throughout the liability period as a retention fee, describing the practice as a globally recognised engineering standard.
“Minor defects during the liability period are not unusual. They are anticipated in engineering contracts, which is why the retention fee exists. What happened on the bridge should not be interpreted as structural failure,” Bello said.
He added that preliminary assessments indicated that another section of the flyover had sustained damage rather than suffered structural failure, stressing that only a comprehensive engineering investigation could determine the actual cause.
The Permanent Secretary urged members of the public to avoid speculation capable of creating unnecessary panic, insisting that engineering conclusions should be based on scientific findings rather than assumptions or political narratives.
Also speaking, the Director of Highways, Engr. M.A. Ojebode, clarified that the Ministry of Works is not responsible for awarding contracts, explaining that the responsibility rests with the Osun State Public Procurement Agency.
According to him, the agency publicly advertises projects, receives bids from interested contractors and evaluates them based on technical competence, financial capacity, equipment, manpower and previous performance before recommending qualified firms for government approval.
“The procurement process is transparent and competitive. Contractors emerge after meeting clearly defined technical and financial requirements, while approvals are granted through the appropriate government channels,” Ojebode said.
He added that the Adeleke administration has continued to execute major infrastructure projects across the state, describing many of them as legacy projects designed for durability.
Ojebode cited the Akoda–Cottage–Oke Gada Road as an example, noting that despite being completed several years ago, it has remained in good condition, while similar road projects are ongoing across the state’s federal constituencies.
Also contributing, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Engr. O.O. Salami, said the ministry has supervised the reconstruction and renovation of several public schools and primary healthcare centres in collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Health.
He explained that technical assessments are conducted to determine whether ageing school buildings should be renovated or completely rebuilt, adding that structures that have exceeded their lifespan are demolished and reconstructed to eliminate safety risks.
Salami also disclosed that several primary healthcare centres across the state have been upgraded with modern facilities, including improved buildings, potable water, electricity and solar-powered installations to enhance healthcare delivery.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to delivering quality infrastructure, ensuring transparency in project execution and sustaining collaboration with civil society organisations to strengthen public confidence in government projects.
The meeting came days after residents and members of civil society organisations staged a protest in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, demanding a comprehensive investigation into the damaged section of the newly commissioned LAMECO Flyover.
The protesters, who marched from Freedom Park to the flyover, said the incident had raised concerns over the quality of work executed on the project, which was funded with public resources.
The engagement between both parties formed part of efforts to address those concerns, with the ministry using the meeting to explain the engineering standards, quality control measures and procurement procedures guiding the execution of the project while reassuring the public of its commitment to accountability and infrastructure safety.
