Aregbesola Reiterates His Administration’s Commitment To Changing The Face Of Osun

The entire Ilesa community went agog when governor Rauf Aregbesola commissioned 15 Ilesa township roads recently.

The governor, before the commissioning, inspected the newly constructed 15 roads in company of mammoth crowd before returning to Ibala Community Primary School for the commissioning.

Governor Aregbesola while speaking assured the people of protection before and after the August 9 election saying ” It will be practically impossible for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to forment any trouble in any part of the state”.

He warned those who are planning to use federal might to rig Osun election saying such group or individuals will face the wrath of the Osun people.

He said” The time of brigandage, violence and election rigging in the state has gone for good. Whosoever that makes such attempt will surely regret it. This is 7th year I was chased out of Ilesa because of election and such trend will meet serious resistance. They will be dealt with beyond their imagination.”

Aregbesola reiterated that the extent of his administration’s commitment to changing the face of Osun through the construction of modern road networks can be seen in the huge amount of road constructions going on simultaneously all over the state.

He pointed out that the administration is deliberately concentrating on those roads that have very high impact on the socio-economic lives and existence of the people.

He also added that Osun road development plan is ambitiously unprecedented in the history of the state, having covered township roads, intra and inter-city roads, as well as inter-state roads.

According to the governor, “In Osogbo, a total of 21 township roads are being constructed or rehabilitated and have gulped N4.095 billion. In Ede, 13 township roads have been repaired through direct labour, at the cost of N873,817,458.85. Most of them have now been completed.

“In the different Federal Constituencies in the state, 79 kilometres of intra-city roads are under construction and rehabilitation. Similarly, most of them are now completed. In addition to the intra-city roads, 20 other roads traversing the cities, and covering a total of 294.27 kilometres, are also at advanced stages of completion. They are worth N10.62 billion.

“We are also constructing six selected roads, covering more than 74.1 kilometres, in the six geo-political zones of Osun. They cost the government N17.5 billion. We inherited eight road rehabilitation projects of 144.29 kilometres from the previous administration which we have almost completed,” The governor told the gathering.

Aregbesola added that government has embarked on the reconstruction into a dual carriageway of the 36.85-kilometre road from Osogbo to Ila-Odo on the state’s border with Kwara State; the Gbongan-Orileowu-Ijebu-Igbo Road, which is also a dual carriageway.

He also added the construction of the Omoluabi Motorway, a dual-carriage road from Akoda to Gbongan Junction, with its Bisi Akande Trumpet Interchange at the cost of N29.23 billion.

“The Osogbo East Bypass Road is in the list of our major road construction undertaking. The East Bypass is a 17.5-kilometre road that will have a railway underpass at Ofatedo, an interchange at Ataoja, and two bridges across the Osun River. The government is investing N14.5 billion in the project.

“Today’s commissioning is part of the township road development projects for Ilesa. The 15 township road rehabilitation works have been completed to the glory of God and for the greater good of the people. On these roads, totalling 29.71km, we have expended N3.7 billion”. The governor stressed.

He held that his administrations dream is to put every road in the best possible shape and make driving on them a pleasure, noting that the state has taken the right steps and on course to the destination.

The governor revealed that the huge amount committed into road infrastructure project is money well-spent, adding that the commissioning of roads being witnessed. With what you are witnessing, you can all testify to the prudent and judicious use to which we have deployed the resources of the state.

Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser to the governor on Works, Engr. Sabitu Oladepo Amudah noted that the 6-point Integral action plan of the governor which revolves round the existence of man.

He stressed that the administration genuinely feels the pulse of the people and thus committed to attending to their legitimate needs?.

Amudah said,” I am happy to inform Your Excellency that all these fifteen roads with a total length of 29.709 Km have been practically completed about a year ago and had been put to use before this official commissioning.

“What we are witnessing in terms of quality is an attestation to the fact that RATCON Nig. Ltd. who is also working on the construction of Gbongan-Akoda Dualisation ?project will give the state a high quality of standard and universally accepted road”. Amudah pointed out.

In his own address, the paramount ruler of Ijeshaland, the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Dr. Adekunle Aromolaran on behalf of other Oba’s commended the administration of Aregbesola for the giant stride he is taking in Osun.

“We are marveled by your doings because we have not had it this good since the creation of Osun, we traditional rulers, not only in Ijeshaland but the whole of Osun gives you a ten over ten scorecard.

“Your administration has been able to accomplish various transformational and developmental projects within the available but meager resources through prudent management of fund and budget discipline”. The monarch stressed

President of the Market Women Association in Osun, Alhaja Awawu Asindemade, added fresh dimensions to the various economic advantages of the new roads network.

She said the new roads would enhance commerce and reduce cases of laboring women experiencing complications.

She said, “The construction of these roads is for the market men and women. We move from one market to another market in different parts of Osun. But whenever I think of the hitherto deplorable states of roads, I oftentimes stay away from visiting markets.

But now, with these new roads, traversing the length and breadth of this state for commercial purposes has become a pleasurable experience.

Also, many laboring women who are taken through bad roads experience difficulties as a result of bad roads. But now, the smooth roads can guarantee save delivery of their babies when they go to hospitals on these smooth roads.