The people of Ona-Ara local government area of Oyo State have described the contractors handling the construction of pedestrian bridge as unprofessional.
This newspaper learnt that the criticisms came hours after the bridge collapsed and washed away by rain few hours after its construction
Sunday Taiwo, a tanker driver while speaking with journalists tongue-lashed the contractors for what he described as incompetence, un-professionalism and no mastery of the task which he said led to the collapse of the pedestrian bridge while it rained once, after the completion of its construction.
Taiwo stressed that it was so disheartening that a bridge meant for the pedestrians in Ona-Ara axis of Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State suddenly collapsed while it experienced first rainfall after its construction.
The tanker driver said that it was obvious that the contractors are not competent and professional, for the bridge to have collapsed after they had certified it as a perfect construction.
Taiwo hinted that he had the knowledge that World Bank in conjunction with Oyo State Government is sponsoring the project, stressing that it was pathetic and worrisome that they could not get a capable hands to handle the job.
He called on Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, to intervene immediately as the collapse of the pedestrian bridge is negatively affecting the wellbeing of the close to one million residents and also the economic prosperity of the area.
Ibrahim Lawal, a motor driver, said it became important for the government and representatives of World Bank to make a visit to where the pedestrian bridge had collapsed and see what the contractors had put in place to ease movement.
Lawal wondered how contractors who could not construct an acceptable and standard pedestrian bridge be assured of giving a better and reliable bridge in the subsequent time?.
He called on Makinde and those that matter to do the needful so as to correct the mistakes and shortcomings where necessary, in order to avoid loss of lives and hampering of the economy.
He equally reminded the government not to rescind its decision of providing alternative road while the work on the bridge is in progress.
Lawal reiterated that government had earlier promised to provide alternative road, stressing that it has not fulfilled the promised as at the time of filing this report.
He enjoined the Makinde led adminstration to cognizance of the many residents in Ona-Ara, adding that the sustenance and livelihood of many people in the area are attached to the road in question.
Lawal said the current happening in Ona-Ara major road calls for quick response and presence of Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Idowu Oyeleke, so as to have the adequate knowledge of the current phenomenon
