By JUDE  NJOKU

The  transformation agenda of the Senator Ibikunle Amosun-led administration in Ogun State appears to be yielding fruits going by the harvest of completed and ongoing projects in various parts of the state.

Some of the projects include the expansion of the 2.4 Kilometre Ita-Eko/Sokori/Totoro road into dual lane at a cost of  N1.3bn and the 600-metre Ibara GRA/Onikolobo road to serve as a detour to the Panseke/Onikolobo road. Both projects have been completed.

The government has also awarded the contract for the construction of the 32km Sango/Ijoko-Agbado/Oke-Aro/Akute/Ojodu Abiodun road to Messrs Prado E. Mercedos, a Brazilian construction firm.

The bypass according to the Commissioner for Works and infrastructure, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite, will relieve motorists going to the GRA and nearby areas of the traffic bottlenecks they go through especially around the Panseke area of the state capital.

Adegbite disclosed that the thrust of the thrust of Gov. Ibikunle Amosun’s infrastructural provision agenda is a zero tolerance to potholes on roads,  upgrade of the existing roads through constant maintenance and reconstruction of such roads as well as opening  up new roads where necessary.

The commissioner told newsmen who inspected some of the projects last week that  the decision of the government to expand the Ita-Eko/Sokori/Totoro road from a single lane to a dual carriageway so as to relieve the Abeokuta city centre of traffic gridlock and enhance the value of properties along the road.

The government, he said, has  embarked upon the second phase of the road project, which involves the construction of a flyover for the use of motorists going to the Ibara area, while those going to Omida, Panseke, Onikolobo and Quarry Road can use the regular road.

To pave way for the expansion, some residential and commercial buildings were pulled down but the government said it has paid commensurate compensations to the owners of the affected properties.

Adegbite said six new houses had been built for those who preferred that arrangement, while those who wanted money had been paid.

The newly completed road has pedestrian side-walks on either side, opened and covered drains, in addition to bold markings. Street lights will be incorporated into the second phase. Similarly, a green park to beautify the area and serve as recreation centre is being developed at  the point where the Ita-Eko and Sokori roads met.

Gov. Amosun had at the road’s  commissioning ceremony, explained that the urban renewal programme of his administration was hinged on road construction and rehabilitation, which was vital to the development of the state.

“Road construction and rehabilitation will open up not only the Abeokuta metropolis to commercial and industrial development, but also to provide easy access to the other parts of the state and engender total development,” he said.
The governor promised that 10 standard roads like the Ita-Eko/Sokori/Totoro road would be constructed in different parts of the state within the next one year.

Adegbite said the government had also concluded plans to award contracts for the construction of the 5.6km Somorin/Ajebo road in Abeokuta; 20km Obalende/Lagos Garage/ Oke Owa/Ilese road in Ijebu-Ode; 60km Ilara/Ijoun/Eggua/Oja-Odan road and the seven-kilometre Sagamu- Benin Expressway junction/Remo Secondary School roundabout/Isale Oko/Akarigbo Road in Sagamu.

The commissioner said, “Apart from the state capital, other places where the ministry is working are in all divisions of the state, especially in the maintenance of roads and flood control projects where drains, culverts and bridges were constructed.