Residents Criticize Osun Government’s Priorities Amid N678m Shrine Project
A major disaster may be imminent in Osun State as the bridge connecting Ijebu Ijesa and Ere Ijesa communities in Oriade Local Government Area shows signs of imminent collapse. The deteriorating River Oni bridge poses a severe threat to commuters and traders who rely on the structure for daily transportation.
A video shared on social media by Mr. Adepeju Ebenezer Oluwaseyi, an indigene of Ere Ijesa, depicts the bridge in a critical state. “The bridge between Ijebu Ijesa and Ere Ijesa is barely standing. To think that millions of naira were recently approved for the construction of a Sango shrine in a town while this vital transport link is left to crumble is appalling,” Mr. Adepeju lamented.
The bridge is a crucial route connecting Ijebu Ijesa, Ere Ijesa, and Ilahun Ijesa to Osogbo, the state capital, and neighboring communities such as Ikirun.
Recall that Daily Observer had earlier reported about another nearby bridge linking Ere Ijesa and Ilahun Ijesa communities, which collapsed under the weight of a heavy-duty trailer in October 2024, fortunately, no lives were lost, but the incident immediately halted trade and restricted movement. Indigenes, including Mr. Seyi Olarenwaju, have described the prolonged inaction as “frustrating,” with some businesses forced to close.
RELATED TOPIC: Community Businesses Paralyzed, Residents Call for Urgent Government Intervention as Collapsed Bridge in Osun Halts Ere-Ijesa Trade for Nearly a Year https://dailyobserver.ng/community-businesses-paralyzed-residents-call-for-urgent-government-intervention-as-collapsed-bridge-in-osun-halts-ere-ijesa-trade-for-nearly-a-year/
Despite repeated alerts from concerned citizens and local leaders, repair works have yet to begin. In the aftermath, a temporary wooden bridge was erected by local Hausa farmers, who charge commuters N500 per crossing—a stopgap solution highlighting the urgent need for official intervention.
It was noted that the reconstruction of the collapsed bridge is listed in the 2025 Infrastructure Plan, which allocates N159 billion for road projects, yet as of September 2025, work remains stalled.
Shrine Contract Sparks Public Outcry
The bridge crisis has been exacerbated by public outrage over a N678 million contract awarded by the Osun State Government for the reconstruction of the Sango-Timi Shrine in Ede. The project, sanctioned by Governor Ademola Adeleke, has been criticized as a misplacement of priorities given the urgent infrastructural needs across the state.
Akin Akanji, Coordinator of the Centre for Social Justice and Public Protection (CSJPP), condemned the decision, stating: “The state is struggling with education, agriculture, youth empowerment, and crumbling infrastructure. Yet, over N600 million is spent on a shrine. This government is drifting away from reality, and Osun citizens are the ones suffering.”
Residents and community leaders argue that prioritizing cultural projects over critical transport infrastructure undermines public safety and economic activity. Many have called on the state government to redirect resources to urgent infrastructures to prevent potential disaster.
Local commuters and traders continue to appeal to the government to expedite the reconstruction of the Ijebu Ijesa–Ere Ijesa bridge before tragedy strikes. As debates intensify over government spending and priorities, Osun residents are left questioning whether cultural projects should take precedence over life-saving infrastructure projects that serve entire communities.
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