ONDO State Government has in the last nine months expended N41.98billion on capital projects in all the 18 local government areas of the state.
The State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Pastor Emmanuel Igbasan made the disclosure at a town hall meeting held with stakeholders recently .
ACCORDING to him, 349 projects totalling N29.89billion have been awarded in six local government areas while N5.89billion had been paid to contractors.
AMONG projects being executed include: Ilara/Ikota road in Ifedore local government, Owo township roads, Ugbe road in Ikare, Ikun/Afo road, Gaga Community road, Okeogba road, Alagbaka High School road, Court of Appeal road all in Akure and several others that adorned the state.
THESE projects in which the contractors have assured would be completed in record time were conceived and implemented to transform the landscape of Ondo State and make life more comfortable for residents, as well as improve on the ranking of the state as the most peaceful state in Nigeria.
CONSIDERING that previous capital projects were concentrated in the state capital, these projects are great departure from the norm, and have turned the state to a huge construction site.
WE recall that the Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu administration has within almost two years in office commissioned several projects and constructed several inner roads like that of Abusoro, Iwalewa in Akure to open up the hinterlands with multiple layby to ease traffic.
THE projects are therefore a ringing testimony of Arakunrin’s determination to implement all his campaign promises by executing projects that would positively impact the lives of Ondo State people.
IT gladdens one’s heart to observe that the state government has been living by its words, building infrastructures and providing enabling environment for investments to thrive in the state.
NO investor of note would like to invest in a state where its road networks are not passable.
THE capital projects would make the revenue of the state to get a boost as the communities that are beneficiaries would contribute their quotas to the overall development of the state.
IT also increases the revenue base of the state as people in the affected communities see the reason(s) to pay tax and the present Land Use Charge being championed by the state government.
IN addition to this, the capital 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.
ANOTHER significance of the projects is easy accessibility of beneficiaries who hitherto have found it difficult to drive into their domains as a result of poor road networks. And it would gladden farmers’ hearts to bring their goods to the markets without much problem.
CAPITAL projects would guarantee massive job opportunities and wealth creation, thereby leading to increase in revenue and improve the lives of the people in the affected areas.
CAPITAL projects as being embarked upon by the government will improve the health of the people and ensure sustainable economic development.
TO advance economically and attract foreign investment, this is the way the government should go .
WE therefore commend the state government for taking this giant stride and not embarking on white elephant projects that will drain the revenue of the state, but on projects that will improve the lives of the people, improve their health and give them long life.
THE HOPE is of the opinion that the capital projects will have greater impact on the people of the state, stimulate them and rekindle their hope that at last, government has not forgotten them.
FOR the projects to last long, we call on the state government to construct drainages on the roads and ensure that they are up to standard.
AGAIN, the state government should monitor all the projects currently being executed in the state and see to them that they are all done to specification.
THE HOPE calls on the beneficiaries of the capital projects to see them as their own and ensure that nothing sinister happens to the contractors and their equipment.
WE call on the state government to urgently consider the people of Ireakari zones 1 and 2, along Orita Obele road. The inhabitants of this area have been subjected to pains, anguish and fear any time it rains. Their road is extremely bad and whenever it rains, most of the inhabitants sleep outside their homes.
ONDO State government should consider those living in these areas when the second phase is to be unveiled