Lead Discussant at the Osun Youths Interactive Session, Dr. Lekan Olatunji, has criticised the construction of the Lameco Bridge by the Osun State Government, describing the project as a misplaced priority that has little economic value to the people of the state.

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Speaking while presenting the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji’s (AMBO) PROSPERITY Agenda during the interactive session organised by the Directorate of Youths, Students and Civil Society of the Osun APC Campaign Council in Osogbo, Olatunji argued that government resources should be directed toward projects that address the immediate needs of residents and stimulate economic growth.

According to him, the Lameco–Okini Road, which serves thousands of commuters daily, remains in poor condition and is frequently plagued by severe traffic congestion, making it more deserving of urgent government attention than the bridge project.

He maintained that improving the road network would have delivered greater economic benefits by easing the movement of people and goods, reducing travel time and supporting commercial activities across the affected communities.

Olatunji described the bridge as a project that does not significantly improve the socio-economic wellbeing of residents, insisting that government investments should focus on infrastructure capable of creating jobs, attracting investments and improving productivity.

He said the APC’s PROSPERITY Agenda was built around people-oriented development, with particular emphasis on youth empowerment, economic expansion and strategic infrastructure capable of transforming the state’s economy.

Delivering the keynote presentation, Olatunji explained that the APC manifesto was deliberately developed with youth inclusion as one of its major pillars. He disclosed that young people actively participated in drafting the party’s policy document and would also play key roles in implementing and evaluating government programmes under an AMBO administration.

He noted that with about 67 per cent of Osun State’s population below the age of 40, sustainable development can only be achieved by placing young people at the centre of governance and economic planning.

Olatunji highlighted key components of the PROSPERITY Agenda, including quality education, digital and vocational skills development, support for small and medium-scale enterprises, agriculture, sports, creative industries, talent development and youth-focused wealth creation initiatives.

He also unveiled plans to activate the Osun Free Trade Zone through a Public-Private Partnership model to stimulate manufacturing, fashion, technology, entertainment and other creative enterprises while creating annual talent festivals to discover and promote young innovators across the state.

During his presentation, Olatunji also referenced the proposed Osun airport project, noting that estimates for the project have been put at between ₦100 billion and ₦130 billion, which he argued should be carefully evaluated against other developmental priorities. He, however, did not attribute any monetary value to the Lameco Bridge project.