Shettima commissions Akure flyover, says project will drive industrial growth
By Julius Alabi, Akure
Vice President Kashim Shettima has commissioned the Onyearugbulem–Shagari/Irese Road Flyover and Junction Improvement Project in Akure, Ondo State
He describing it as a strategic infrastructure intervention poised to ease traffic congestion and stimulate industrial and commercial activities along the corridor.
Speaking today at the ceremony held along the Ilesha–Akure–Owo Expressway, Shettima said the project would significantly improve traffic circulation, enhance road safety, and unlock economic potential within the axis.
He commended the Ondo State Government for undertaking what he termed a timely intervention at a critical transport node, stressing that infrastructure development remains central to sustainable growth and regional integration.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who was joined by his Ogun State counterpart, Dapo Abiodun, described the project as a historic milestone, noting that it is the first flyover bridge constructed in Akure, the state capital.
Aiyedatiwa said the project represents more than physical infrastructure, explaining that it reflects a deliberate response to long-standing traffic challenges, safety concerns, and economic inefficiencies in the metropolis.
He recalled that the Onyearugbulem–Shagari and Akure–Benin Expressway intersection had, for years, been notorious for frequent accidents, severe congestion, and loss of productive man-hours.
According to him, the corridor, a major gateway into the South-West, had also witnessed disruptions to economic activities due to persistent gridlock.
The governor noted that the project was initiated under the administration of the late former governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and sustained by his administration in line with its commitment to continuity in governance.
He added that the flyover has been named after Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti, who marked his 100th birthday on Monday.
Aiyedatiwa said his administration has, in the past year, intensified infrastructure renewal across the state, anchored on the belief that quality infrastructure is critical to economic growth, investment attraction, and improved living standards.
He listed ongoing and completed projects to include the dualisation of the Akure–Idanre Road, Akungba–Ikare Road, Okitipupa–Igbokoda Road, and College Road in Igbokoda, as well as the rehabilitation of over 100 kilometres of roads across the three senatorial districts.
The governor said while several projects have been completed and inaugurated, others are at advanced stages of execution, adding that the Reuben Fasoranti Flyover stands out as a flagship initiative that has already improved traffic flow, reduced travel time, and enhanced safety.
He commended the contractors, engineers, and consultants involved in the project, noting that it was executed largely by indigenous professionals who demonstrated capacity and technical expertise.
He also thanked residents of Akure for their patience during the construction period, assuring that the project would serve the state for generations.
Dignitaries at the event included members of the state executive council, traditional rulers, and security chiefs, among others.
