By MOTORING WORLD INVESTIGATIONS
The one-kilometre flyover widely celebrated as the flagship infrastructure project of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s first term has come under intense scrutiny following allegations that the structure may have serious design and safety deficiencies.
Motoring World has exclusively gathered that officials of the Federal Ministry of Works arrived in Ekiti State late Tuesday to carry out a technical assessment of the flyover, which forms part of a federal highway.
The flyover begins from Fayose Market in Ado-Ekiti and terminates just before the roundabout linking Ajibade Lane, First Bank and Oja Bisi at New Garage, Ado-Ekiti.
Sources familiar with the matter told Motoring World that the federal inspection followed concerns allegedly raised in technical documents relating to the project.
According to information obtained during our investigation, an environmental assessment associated with the project reportedly recommended against the current alignment of the flyover, warning that it was excessively curved and should not terminate directly into a roundabout. The report is also alleged to have recommended an alternative design comprising two shorter bridge sections instead of the present continuous structure.
The investigation further indicates that concerns were allegedly raised over the width and curvature of the bridge, with experts said to have questioned whether motorists could safely travel at normal highway speeds. Some technical sources consulted by Motoring World claimed the geometry of the flyover could require vehicles to reduce speed to around 25 km/h in order to negotiate the curves safely.
Because the road is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, any significant safety issues identified during the inspection could result in recommendations for engineering modifications or other corrective measures, depending on the findings of the Federal Ministry of Works.
As of the time of filing this report, the outcome of the federal inspection had not been made public.
Neither the Ekiti State Government nor the contractor responsible for the project had issued an official response to the allegations.
Motoring World was also unable to independently verify the contents of the alleged environmental assessment report before publication.
Should the concerns be substantiated by the ongoing federal assessment, engineering experts say the authorities could be advised to undertake substantial remedial works or other safety interventions. However, no official conclusion or recommendation has yet been announced.
The development has already sparked widespread interest among motorists, residents and engineering professionals, many of whom are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the Federal Ministry of Works’ assessment.
Motoring World will continue to follow the story and publish further updates as soon as the Federal Government releases its findings or the Ekiti State Government responds to the issues raised
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