The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has described the Olaiya Flyover in Osogbo, Osun State, as a celebration of standard and professionalism.
The professional body said the project was a testimony of the abilities of Nigerian engineers, lauding Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s ingenuity in showcasing local talents.
This was disclosed on Wednesday during an on-site assessment of the project by the nation’s regulatory body for engineering practice.
The Chairman of the Osogbo branch of NSE, Engr. Emmanuel Wale Alonge, in his remark said the controversies that trailed the project at its initial stage have now been laid to rest by the quality of the project.
“Politics aside, this is a celebration of standard, celebration of professionalism, a celebration of Nigerian engineers. This has nothing to do with politics, it is strictly a development issue.
“I am seriously elated going round this project. It is excellent, and I am so happy that local content got the nod from design to implementation.
“We have been part of this project from inception, and we can confidently attest to the quality of the project. I have said it in many fora that our local engineers are well trained and skilled for delivery. I want to specially appreciate the governor of Osun State, who deemed it fit to entrust this project in the hands of local talents who have also done well to prove the potentials inherent in Nigeria.
“President Muhammadu Buhari signed a Presidential Executive Order 5 for the Nigerian Society of Engineers, and I am sure that Order 5 is being practiced by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola in Osun State today. So, kudos to him especially for the confidence he has reposed in local engineers.
“Governors of other Nigerian States can take a cue from this and begin to patronise Nigerian engineers just like Oyetola has done in Osun”, Alonge said.
The Chief Inspector of the Osogbo Inspectorate of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Zakariyah Ademola, lauded the project as excellent both in process and output.
He however harped on enforcement of maintenance culture once the bridge is opened for public use.
In his remark, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Remi Omowaiye, expressed delight in the comments and plaudits about the flyover, adding that the Oyetola-led government was ready to do more for the people of Osun.
“We are happy, but we want to do more. Mr governor has directed that we should start the design of the dualization of Old Garage through Okefia to Lameco. Very soon, we should flag off the reconstruction of Lameco to Ifon.
“I say this with all sense of modesty that this is just the beginning of good things in Osun. I can assure you that our worst times are over”, Omowaiye said.
The Special Adviser to Governor Oyetola on Works and Transport, Engr. Hussein Olatoke Olaniyan, commended the league of engineers for their comments and suggestions, expressing optimism that the State will have more opportunities to showcase the competence and capabilities of local talents.
Also part of the assessment team were members of the Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers and Nigerian Association of Technical Engineers.
