A stakeholder in Ondo State, Oloroogun Sola Ajisafe, has called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to reconsider the proposed 2.38-kilometre flyover project planned for Akure, the state capital, arguing that the project may not address the root causes of traffic congestion in the city.
In an open letter addressed to the governor, Ajisafe described the proposed flyover, which is expected to stretch from Adegbola Junction to St. Mathias in Alagbaka, as a misplaced solution to a problem largely caused by poor traffic management and weak enforcement of existing regulations.
According to him, Akure deserves modern infrastructure and improved transportation systems, but development initiatives must be based on a proper assessment of the city’s challenges. He maintained that the persistent traffic gridlock around Cathedral, Oja-Oba, Arakale and A-Division areas is not primarily the result of inadequate road infrastructure but rather a consequence of human activities and lack of enforcement.
Ajisafe recalled that previous administrations successfully managed traffic congestion in the area through measures such as pedestrian control barriers, enforcement of pedestrian bridge usage, and the removal of traders from major roads. He cited the tenure of former Commissioner Yetunde Adeyanju under the administration of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko, as well as initiatives introduced during the administration of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, as examples of strategies that helped restore order and improve traffic flow.
He argued that the removal of some of those traffic control measures contributed significantly to the return of congestion in the city.
The stakeholder further contended that flyovers are typically constructed to address physical bottlenecks, complex intersections, or geographical constraints. In contrast, he said the congestion experienced in Akure’s commercial districts stems largely from roadside trading, indiscriminate parking, illegal loading and unloading of passengers, motorcycle activities, and widespread disregard for traffic rules.
According to him, constructing a flyover in the heart of Akure’s commercial district could negatively affect businesses by reducing accessibility and pedestrian traffic, potentially harming the local economy.
Ajisafe also raised concerns about the feasibility and execution of the project. He questioned whether the state government possesses the capacity to complete a project of such magnitude within its remaining tenure, citing delays and unfinished infrastructure projects across the state.
He referenced ongoing concerns surrounding projects such as the Onyaregbulem Flyover, Oda Road, Ijoka Road, Akungba-Ikare Road, and the Judiciary Village project, arguing that several inherited and ongoing developments have experienced delays or remain incomplete.
The letter also questioned the transparency surrounding the proposed flyover, calling for the publication of key project details, including construction costs, engineering designs, environmental impact assessments, funding arrangements, and loan terms if external financing is involved.
Rather than embarking on what he described as an expensive and potentially disruptive flyover project, Ajisafe urged the government to focus on strengthening traffic management, rehabilitating internal roads within Akure, and improving connectivity across the city.
He suggested that strategic road expansion and flyover construction should instead be considered at major traffic intersections such as Roadblock, Orita-Obele, FUTA South Gate, Federal Girls College axis, Agbogbo corridor, Fiwasaye, Oba-Ile and ShopRite junction areas, where traffic engineering studies may justify such interventions.
Beyond transportation, the stakeholder called on the state government to prioritise security and healthcare. He advocated increased funding and improved welfare packages for personnel of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun Corps, while also urging greater investment in hospitals and healthcare facilities across the state.
Ajisafe concluded that sustainable development requires practical solutions that directly address the needs of residents. He warned that a flyover built without tackling the underlying causes of congestion could fail to deliver the desired results and risk becoming an abandoned project in the future.
He urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to focus on enforcing traffic regulations, improving road networks, strengthening security architecture, and upgrading healthcare infrastructure, which he argued would have a more immediate and lasting impact on the lives of Ondo residents.
The open letter, dated June 5, 2026, has since generated discussions among residents and stakeholders on the best approach to addressing traffic congestion and urban development challenges in Akure.
