President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has flagged off the reconstruction of the Osogbo–Akoda–Gbangan and Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan roads in Osun and Oyo States, in a major boost to road infrastructure and economic connectivity in the South-West.
The two projects are expected to improve transportation links between communities, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and other goods, create employment and stimulate commercial activities across the two states.
Representing the President at the groundbreaking ceremony in Osogbo, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola said the reconstruction of the roads demonstrated the Federal Government’s commitment to renewing critical infrastructure across the country.
Oyetola, who noted that the two roads were executed during his tenure as Governor of Osun State, expressed satisfaction that they would now be reconstructed by the Federal Government using rigid pavement technology.
“These roads are very critical to the Federal Government’s infrastructure renewal, aimed at enhancing connectivity, improving road safety and stimulating socio-economic activities,” he said.
He added that the completed projects would unlock economic opportunities, create jobs, improve the transportation of agricultural produce and other goods, and enhance the quality of life of residents along the corridors.
The projects will involve the clearance of construction sites, removal of unsuitable materials, milling of existing asphalt pavement and construction of new pavement layers, including a 100mm wet-crushed stone base, 200mm cement-stabilised base course and 200mm continuously reinforced concrete pavement for the carriageways and shoulders.
The Minister of Works, Sen. Engr. David Umahi said the projects reflected President Tinubu’s commitment to delivering strategic road infrastructure under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to Umahi, the Federal Government’s road development strategy is aimed at connecting communities with economic advantages, promoting trade, creating jobs, strengthening security and accelerating national development.
He said the reconstructed roads would reduce travel time, lower transportation and vehicle maintenance costs, facilitate the movement of agricultural and other goods and boost commercial activities in the region.
Umahi also said the roads were being constructed to high standards and were expected to require minimal maintenance for several decades.
Addressing concerns over government borrowing, the Works Minister said the funds were being deployed as strategic investments in the country’s infrastructure.
“For those questioning government borrowing money, this is the answer. The funds are being invested to revive and complete strategic road projects that have remained abandoned for decades,” he said.
He assured residents of Osun and Oyo States that the projects would be completed within their contractual timelines, while appealing to host communities, traditional rulers and other stakeholders to cooperate with the contractors.
In his opening address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Rafiu Adeladan, described the flag-off as another milestone in the Federal Government’s infrastructure development programme.
Adeladan said the roads would serve as vital socioeconomic corridors and urged the contractors to maintain the required quality standards and meet the agreed delivery deadlines.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Onyesoh, and the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi, reaffirmed the commitment of the National Assembly to providing adequate funding and effective legislative oversight for road projects across the country.
They commended President Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure development and praised the Works Ministry for the progress recorded in road construction across the six geopolitical zones.
The contractors handling the projects, Managing Director of Trucrete Solutions Limited, Mr. Roze Mohammed Sherani, and Managing Director of Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited, Engr. Olanrewaju Abel Adeleke, assured the Federal Government and residents that the projects would be delivered within the stipulated contractual terms.
Traditional rulers, including the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, and the Alapomu of Apomu, Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for reviving the road projects, describing them as transformational infrastructure for the region.
The ceremony was attended by the governors of Kogi and Edo States, Usman Ododo and Sen. Monday Okpebholo, respectively, members of the National Assembly, senior government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders.
The reconstruction of the Osogbo–Akoda–Gbangan and Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan corridors is expected to strengthen regional connectivity and support economic activities while advancing the infrastructure objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
