The opening of the first phase of the two-span Olodo Bridge in Egbeda area of Oyo State provided relief for residents and road users, after months of inconveniences caused by its collapse.

The completion of this phase, not only enhanced smoother transportation, but also proved the government’s commitment to infrastructural development.

Following the completion of the first phase of the bridge, motorists and commuters can use the road, while the next phase is expected to be completed in due course.

They have praised the work done so far, and urged for the swift completion of the second phase and the adjourning road.

The Olodo Bridge is a major bridge linking Iwo and other communities along the axis to Osun State. When the bridge collapsed, residents and motorists reacted as it affected them.

Recall that on July 23, 2023, the long Olodo Bridge caved in as a result of the downpour and the consequent flood that also swept many structures within that vicinity away. The governor, however, created a tentative road for residents while the reconstruction of the bridge commenced last year.

During the ongoing construction, the pedestrian walkway of the Olodo Bridge, initially created for safety, transformed into a bustling marketplace where traders offered a variety of goods and even set up shops.

Also, before the first phase of the bridge was opened, the residents lamented the sufferings and pains they go through every day after the collapse of the bridge.

Aside from the first phase of the two span bridge completion, the streetlights that link to the bridge are working while some are not. A visit to the bridge revealed that the bridge had been completed with the appropriate road marking and the roads that link to the bridge were patched while some have not been repaired.

Also, The Guardian observed that some traders are still selling along the bridge routes.

The Commissioner for Works, Professor Daud Sangodoyin, said the completion section of the bridge for vehicular movement is a demonstration of the governor’s commitment to the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of the state, regardless of political inclination, religious affiliation or socio-economic status.

He said that though the 35.6km Iwo Road – Olodo bank – Elesingodogbo–Odo-Oba to Oyo/Osun State boundary is a federal road, being carried out by the state government was borne out of the passion of the current administration’s commitment to improve on road infrastructure in the state.

Sangodoyin added that Oyo state considers it a necessity to concentrate energy on projects with potentials for expansion of the economy of the State while engineering a modern Oyo State.

He said: “It is a further demonstration of this administration’s commitment to the delivery of the dividend of democracy to all the nooks and crannies of the state without regard to the political inclination, religious affiliation or socio-economic group of our people.”

However, the contractor handling the project, Adeleke Olanrewaju, Peculiar ultimate Concern Ltd. assured that the volume of work completed is 50 percent assuring that the full completion is expected on or before December, 2024.

A commuter, Tope Adewole, expressed both praise and concern, saying, “Governor Seyi Makinde means well and is doing very well with his mass-friendly projects. However, the contractor handling the Olodo-Iwo Road reconstruction needs to be closely monitored. Are we comfortable with just patching the road instead of a full reconstruction? In less than six months, the masses will start suffering again.”

Rasheed Bello also shared his perspective, stating, “Firstly, let me say well done to Seyi Makinde, but the truth is it isn’t worth praising because such a project wouldn’t take this long in neighboring countries, let alone overseas where leaders keep their children. I visited Ibadan from the north, where I am based, and the stress I went through sleeping in my car for hours on the narrow alternative road made me feel the pain and stress those living around Olodo face every day. Nigerian leaders need a serious and proactive way of alleviating the suffering of the country’s citizens.”

Also commenting on Facebook, Egbetade Oluwatobi recounted the initial impact of the bridge collapse due to heavy rainfall last year, saying, “When the Olodo Bridge collapsed, most residents of Olodo, including myself, were worried due to the various communities it served. You could see the unhappiness on people’s faces as the collapse affected their business and daily activities. Some people at our regular bar even said, ‘This giant bridge cannot be completed on time in Nigeria.’ I had to explain how responsive Governor Makinde and his government could be. He didn’t disappoint me. He provided an alternative road through the Ministry of Work and Transport, which was graded for use while the bridge work commenced. The Oyo State Government provided bi-weekly updates on the progress, showing transparency at its peak. In the space of a year, I am happy to inform those people and others who politicised the event that a phase of the bridge is now open for pedestrians for vehicular movements, this shows the pleas and complaints of people are not just listened to but acted upon.”

A motorist, Kunle Ajayi, speaking on the work done on the bridge said though he is not an engineer but the works seem of good quality, “although they finished late but it eases our stress and makes our journey faster and easier.”

He commended the government for doing a good work on the bridge, hoping that the governor will finish the remaining second phase bridge on time.

A small business owner, Kolade Adeoye said it is a new dawn for them as they anticipate high patronage following the development.