By Bankole Adeniyi
AKURE – LET me say very expressly that one of the sterling achievements of the Rotimi Akeredolu administration in Ondo State in the last 20 months is the massive construction of road projects across the state.
Like no other administration before it, the government has kept to its promises by making both the people’s welfare and infrastructural development of the state its top priority.
Road construction is one of the five major planks of this administration. Others include job creation through agriculture and industrialisation, massive industrial development and maintenance, provision of functional educational and technological growth and the provision of accessible and qualitative health care and social services.
The road projects are evidential testimonies of Governor Akeredolu’s determination to implement all his campaign promises by executing projects that touch the lives of Ondo State people.
The road rehabilitation and construction are spread across the three Senatorial Districts of the state.
Some of the ongoing projects, 43 in total, include: Rehabilitation of selected roads in Ifon; construction of GRA dualisation road(2.5km) in Owo; dualisation of Ikare Township road; dualisation of Oke Alabojuto road, Ikare phase 1(0.5km); construction of selected roads in Idanre(2.76km); construction of Iwalewa-Alafiatayo, Iwalewa-Oshinle, Iwalewa-Hospital road and Abusoro road,Ijoka phase 1,construction of Alagbaka SIB-Appeal Court road(6.02km) and rehabilitation and construction of Oke Ogba Community road(5.412km).
Also ongoing are: construction of Gaga Community road (5.569km); construction of dual carriageway from A division-Oluwatuyi-Ijoka (8.135km); rehabilitation of selected roads in Ondo town (7.11km); construction of Sabomi-Ajagba road(2.3km) and construction of Okitipupa-Igbokoda bypass road phase 1(10km).
Akeredolu with this massive road construction has unleashed on the state a gargantuan level of economic activities that will induce investors to the state. It is a known fact that no investor of note would be willing to stake his hard earned money in a state where its road networks are in deplorable conditions.
Benefiting communities would feel the government’s impact and thus see reason(s) to pay tax and other levies being imposed by the state government.
In addition to this, the projects will create wealth for the people as well as reverse the prevalent infrastructural deficit with a view to enhancing a better and brighter future for the coming generation.
The projects have made accessibility easy for areas hitherto difficult to enter as a result of poor road networks. It would also assist farmers to bring their goods to the markets without much ado.
It guarantees massive job opportunities and wealth creation, thereby leading to increased revenue, improving the lives of the people in the affected areas and ensuring sustainable economic development.
I, therefore, join others to express my happiness at the rate at which this government is opening up the state for rapid development. The road projects, on completion, would not only attract investors to the state but would also open up the state to economic prosperity.
I also laud this administration for taking this giant stride and not embarking on white elephant projects that will drain the revenue of the state, but on projects that would impact on the lives of average citizens of the state.
The introduction of performance bond where contractors are paid according to the level of work executed is a novelty in the state which will discourage abandonment of road projects as only contractors who have the financial muscle will participate. I recommend it to other states to check corruption.
My conclusion is that the government is being prudent and purpose- driven.
I hope that in the nearest future, and with the determination of the government to exploit bitumen deposit in the State, construction of roads in the state would be easier as the major material for it would be locally sourced.
For the projects to last long, we call on the state government to construct drainages on the roads and make sure that they are up to standard.
Again, the state government should monitor all the projects and see that they are all done to specification.
Without gainsaying, for now, I can say very explicit that Governor Akeredolu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, is currently redefining governance and leadership reawakening the sun of progress in our Sunshine State.
*Adeniyi is the Ondo State Coordinator of Change Nigeria Movement.
