…complements Aiyedatiwa’s aggressive drive

…selects Irele as pilot town for Ondo State

By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

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The federal government has commenced a project for the physical development plan of Irele town in Ondo State, before proceeding to other communities.It is aimed at aligning it with global development standards found in other advanced cities worldwide.

The Federal Controller of Housing in the state, Mrs Yetunde Morohunfola, made this known while leading the project consultant and a team from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development in his office in Akure, the state capital.

The initiative complements Governor Aiyedatiwa’s aggressive drive towards the development of communities across the state.Recall that the Aiyedatiwa administration recently initiated several projects aimed at transforming both urban and rural communities.

Under the governor’s 7-point agenda called “”Our Ease”, the Sunshine State has witnessed tremendous progress in infrastructural development, provision of social amenities and public buildings, according to several reports in the public domain.

The government has kept on the front burner the social well-being of the people, and impacted the State positively in agriculture, health, revenue generation, urban renewal, rural roads construction, education, employment, investment promotion, and entrepreneurship.

Morohunfola stated that the federal government team was in the state to officially kick-start the project in Irele. She also revealed that Ondo and Yobe are the only two states selected by the federal government to benefit from the project in the current fiscal year.In her remarks, the Project Coordinator, Mrs James Chinwende , commended the federal government for initiating the development plan for Irele, noting that it is the second such project in the state after that of Okitipupa.

She emphasised that the project would not only enhance the socioeconomic analysis and physical development of the town but also help decongest the overpopulation being experienced in many state capitals.

Chinwende further noted that the project, which is expected to be completed within the next 16 weeks, would enable the government to identify and determine priority areas for specific development programmes.

She also assured that all relevant stakeholders in the state would be involved in the implementation of the project.In his response, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Oluwagbenga Akingbasote, reiterated the commitment of the current administration under Governor Aiyedatiwa to modern physical planning and urban development of towns and cities across the state.

He cited the approval for the development of a new master plan for Akure, the state capital, as well as Ore Town and Araromi Seaside.Akingbasote, who outlined several urban development projects initiated by the Aiyedatiwa administration, urged the consultant and federal agencies in the state to continue partnering with the Ministry to ensure seamless execution of all developmental initiatives.

While appreciating the FG for considering Ondo State for the project, the Director of the Master Plan Department in the Ministry, Mr Abimbola Tofowomo, drew the visitors’ attention to cases of encroachment and illegal structures on government setbacks around federal housing estates and quarters in the state.

He noted that they often disrupt the physical and urban development plans of the government.

The project consultant, Mr Moses Ajakaye, a seasoned town planning professional, appealed for the cooperation and support of all stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of the project, promising to deliver quality work within the stipulated timeframe.