Ondo State Governor, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa has appealed to residents of the state to join hands with the government to maintain roads and other infrastructural facilities across the state.
Aiyedatiwa stated this during the inspection of the ongoing asphalt laying of Aule Road in Akure, the state capital, said the people should monitor how the roads in the areas are used.
Represented by his special adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Ayoade Babalola, appealed to the residents of the Aule community to ensure they do not allow anyone to nail canopy on the road for any ceremony.
The special adviser, who was accompanied by the administrative secretary of the ministry, Akin Omotola and other senior officers of the ministry, also warned that in case of any protest, youths should avoid bonfires on the road.
He warned tanker drivers to also guide against dripping of diesel from heavy-duty vehicles on the road, saying this usually destroys the asphalt.
He also warned the residents not to build on the watercourse, noting that the government would demolish structures of the watercourse to allow free flow of erosion to prevent flooding.
He, however, assured the people of the state that all the ongoing township projects would be completed earnestly, saying the present administration in the state is doing everything possible to speed up the construction works.
“I want to appreciate our governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa for fulfilling his promises to complete all inherited projects by his administration.
“This is the manifestation of that particular promise. All other roads and the flyover would be completed as well. We are here on the spot assessment and he has done a good job.
“We want to make an appeal so that you can discuss this with your co-landlords that you need to maintain this road.
The maintenance of this road is very critical. Diesel and petrol are enemies of asphalt.
“You should ensure the people of this area partner with the government in the maintenance of this road. Within the next four days, the contractor would get through with the road.
“It is needful to appeal to all road users, the okada riders, motorists and pedestrians to be very careful of their speed.
“Now that they see a new road, they may begin to speed as if they are travelling to Lagos keeping about 120 km/hour. 80km/hour speed on this road is reckless driving.
“We appeal to our people to check their speed and apply break as appropriate. I would like to add that people burning tyres during protests are also damaging the road.”
He listed the ongoing projects in the state to include, are construction of selected township roads in Igoba / Igele / Ifesowapo / Ajipowo Axes, Akure North/South L. G. A, Ondo State.
Also, he listed others to include “the rehabilitation/asphalt overlay of selected roads in Akure, Ondo State, Group A in which Aule Road falls into”
When he visited Igoba Road in Akure to assess the level of work done by the contractor, the Special Adviser assured the people that with the pace of work, the construction of the drainage and earthwork of the road would be completed soonest.
He, therefore, appealed to the people of the state to be patient with the state government, assuring that all ongoing road projects and those newly initiated and approved by Governor Aiyedatiwa would be completed.
The Managing Director of Elementary Construction Company, the construction company handling the Aule and Igoba Roads, Engr. Olawoye Abiola assured that in the next four days, the asphalt laying of the Aule Road would be completed.
He also assured that in the next three months, the Igoba road would be completed and handed over to the state government.