Stories By Kingsley Adegboye

The Ondo State Government has flagged off the construction of ultra modern motor parks in Akure and other locations in the state. Project which is expected to gulp N130 billion, according to Governor Olusegun Mimiko is the first in the entire South Western part of the country. Dr Mimiko said the project was part of the efforts of his administration at changing the face of the Ondo State from being a provincial state to a modern investor’s haven.

The Governor said on completion, the motor parks which would be sited in major towns in the state, would boast of state-of-the-art facilities required by travelers and operators of modern road transportation. The motor park, he said, would boast of state-of-the-art facilities required by travelers and operators of modern road transportation.

The project, according to Dr Mimiko, would be replicated in major towns of the State. Another one is already earmarked for the Owo/Benin Garage, Akure.

Noting that Akure has begun to wear a new look, Governor Mimiko disclosed that the reconstruction of First-Bank Oba-Adesida/Oyemekun dual-carriage road, which is the major access to the Central Business District of the city, the commencement of the dualization of the Arakale Road, the construction of modern markets at strategic locations and the dualized link road to the airport (which is under construction) were embarked upon to open-up Akure as centre of commerce that is easily accessible.

His words: “The ground breaking of the ultra-modern motor park is another milestone towards fulfilling our promise to develop Ondo State. Let me inform you that the idea behind this ultra-modern motor park project is to provide a gate-way for road transportation, making use of vehicles in a conducive atmosphere where modern facilities are available that meets international standards and best practices. By this project, this Government, is therefore, all out to provide a conducive, relaxed and secured environment where there are basic facilities, devoid of pressure, decay and repulsive operational environment for travelers. The truth is that attainment of development depends largely on good transportation systems”

Then governor said his administration has executed a number of projects through the Ministry of Transport while others are on-going to facilitate transportation in Ondo State to boost socio-economic activities of the people.

Some of these projects, he said included the construction of modern Jetties (Floating Dock and Lift System) at Igbokoda, while another one is proposed for New Jerusalem, all in the riverine areas of the State. He disclosed that the dredging and channelization of rivers Yewa, Ofe and Apaluba have been concluded, while arrangement had been put in place to undertake the same exercise in Zion-Pepe, Ogidigba-Majebi and Pelebosou creeks.

Mimiko said it is the determination to develop the transport sector that his administration embarked on the dualizatilon of the road that leads to the Akure airport.

The State Commissioner for Transport, Otunba Omoniyi Omodara, described the project was conceived and created in April 2009 by Governor Mimiko to, among others, initiate and implement policies and programmes for effective and efficient transportation system in Ondo.