By Ebunoluwa Sessou

A member representing Ondo East and West Federal Constituency at the Federal House of Representatives, Mr. Peter Makinde has disclosed the motion for the dualisation of the Akure-Ondo-Ore express road was raised by him on December 14, 2021 on the floor of the House and seconded by Mr. Okwudili Nwankwo, a member representing Orumba North/ Orumba South Federal Constituency of Anambra state.

Setting the record straight regarding the process and efforts which led to the approval and commencement of the dualisation of the Akure-Ondo-Ore express road, Makinde said, in a message made available on his Facebook page, stated that his intention was to ensure safety of the lives of the people who make use of the road.

Makinde, who recognised the contribution of Festus Adefiranye, member representing Odigbo-Ile oluji/ Oke-Igbo federal constituency who moved similar motion in 2023 for the rehabilitation and dualisation of the said road highlighted the importance of having political representation that would speak to the expectation of the people.

Making specific reference to the leadership of Femi Gbajabiamila, the then Speaker of the House of Representatives who now serves as the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Makinde said, such individual is expected in the political affairs of the country.

“I commend the leadership of the the Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for making particular reference to the road when the Minister for works, Dave Umahi, visited the state.
“As a member of the House of Representatives representing Ondo East/West Federal Constituency, I moved the motion on the floor of the House on December 14th, 2021, stated the issue whilst compelling Ministry of Works to prioritize work on the said road.

“We thank him for his leadership, most especially in making sure it comes to reality. The Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House,Abuja acted on the resolve of the House and approved N134b for the dualisation of this road.

“I appreciate my colleague, Mr. Festus Adefiranye, Member representing Odigbo Ileoluji Okeigbo for moving similar motion in 2023 for the dualization of this said road.

“I must also thank the ever-working governor of Ondo State, Mr. Lucky Ayedatiwa for demanding immediate action from the Minister of Works, H.E. Dave Umahi, when he visited Ondo State in September 2023,” he said.

However, Makinde warned that people who are not directly involved in the process which led to the actualisation of this infrastructural feat should not attempt to take credit for it; stating that there similar attempt at usurping and taking credit for the upgrade of the then Adeyemi College of Education to a university was blown when they were confronted with incontrovertible facts.

“When Adeyemi became a University, some persons came out to claim it as their initiative. It was until we presented documents to disprove their claims, that they put a stop to their agitation to usurp the work of others. Now, the construction of Ore-Ondo-Akure federal road dualization has kick-started, some people are out to claiming credit for it,” he concluded’.