Osun Osogbo ancient bridge becomes deathtrap

The Osun Sacred Grove in Osogbo is a major attraction for tourists from different parts of the world.

Apart from the annual large gathering of traditionalists, worshipers and tourists; visitors throng the grove for sightseeing and adventure while researchers from institutions of learning also visit.

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Farmers, especially those from Isale-Osun communities, connect Oke-Osun farm settlement through the grove, underlying the importance of the route to economic and social activities in the state.

A bridge constructed on the River Osun many years ago has become a deathtrap crying for attention. The bridge is old and needs urgent repair. Motorists plying the route are at huge risk, according to transporters and road users.

Some of the farmers said the bridge was constructed by the colonial masters and wondered why the state government could not repair it.

One of the farmers, Pa Ganiyu Adeniyi said “this bridge is very important to us. We cannot go to our farms without this bridge. We risk our lives passing through this bridge on a daily basis. We want the government to help us. Government should repair this bridge. It will save lives.”

The Commissioner for Works and Transportation in the state, Mr Remi Omowaiye told Eko Trust that the state government could not do anything in the grove without authorisation from the federal government and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as the grove is a UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre.

“That bridge is not within my purview. UNESCO wants to retain everything in the Osun Grove the way they were and there is no way it will not change if we decide to work on the bridge.

“People are travelling to Osogbo from different parts of the world coming here to see the grove. That bridge is part of the things they come here to see and if we change the way it is, it might be counterproductive. We attempted to close that road but people were not happy about it and that was why we allowed them to be passing through the grove.”

A prominent indigene of Osogbo, Mr Rasheed Bolarinwa, disagreed with the position of the government.

Bolarinwa, who is a member of a group of Osogbo-born professionals, Osogbo Affairs Forum said “I’d rather urge the Osun State Government through the Ministry of Works to fix the bridge, rather than pushing responsibility to UNESCO.

“The essence of UNESCO recognition is to draw world attention to the Osun Grove, which will enhance tourism and economic activities around the place and Osogbo at large. And, more importantly, to preserve the cultural values of the place. The collapsed bridge should be attended to by the state government and not UNESCO” Bolarinwa said.