Ogun Assembly summons commissioners over deadly Uren bridge accident

DDM News

(DDM) – The Ogun State House of Assembly has summoned three key government officials to appear before it following a tragic accident on the Uren bridge, which links Odogbolu and Ikenne local government areas.

DDM reports that the officials invited include the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya; the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on the State Public Works Agency.

The summons is scheduled for Tuesday, August 12, 2025.

The invitation was issued during plenary on Thursday by Speaker Oludaisi Elemide after Minority Leader Lukman Adeleye raised an alarm about the fatal accident.

Adeleye said the crash was caused by the deteriorating and narrow condition of the Uren bridge, which has been in dire need of reconstruction.

According to him, the bridge’s poor state poses an ongoing threat to commuters and requires urgent government intervention.

The recent accident, which claimed lives, has triggered widespread concern among residents and lawmakers, with many questioning the delay in rehabilitating such a critical infrastructure.

Speaker Elemide expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and emphasized the need for swift action to prevent future tragedies.

He acknowledged the state government’s ongoing infrastructural efforts but pointed out that the current administration inherited significant backlogs of neglected infrastructure from previous regimes.

DDM gathered that Elemide commended Governor Dapo Abiodun’s commitment to road projects across the state, but stressed that the Uren bridge incident was a stark reminder of unresolved infrastructural challenges.

He called for a comprehensive review of all critical road and bridge infrastructures, particularly those linking major towns and communities.

In his remarks, Adeleye, who spoke under personal explanation, praised the administration’s work on the Ikenne–Mayflower road but urged that the project be extended to cover the deteriorating Uren bridge.

He described the bridge as a vital connection for thousands of commuters and traders in the region.

He also warned that continued neglect of the structure could lead to more loss of lives.

The upcoming session with the commissioners is expected to provide clarity on why urgent repairs on the bridge have been delayed, as well as to demand clear timelines for rehabilitation.

Lawmakers are also expected to interrogate the broader road infrastructure plan for Ogun State, including how rural and inter-local government connections are being prioritized.

Residents in the affected communities have echoed calls for emergency intervention, with some staging peaceful protests demanding immediate reconstruction of the bridge.

Many believe that the Uren bridge, despite its strategic importance, has long been overlooked.

The Ogun State government has yet to issue an official statement on the tragedy, but sources say preparations are underway for a technical assessment of the bridge ahead of reconstruction efforts.

As the state continues to expand its infrastructure footprint, lawmakers insist that community safety must not be sacrificed.

They are calling for equal focus on maintenance and safety of existing roads and bridges, alongside new projects.

The Uren bridge tragedy has become a rallying point in Ogun for improved accountability, planning, and citizen-centered governance in infrastructural development.

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