ODSG approves 7.35 km road project in Akurenames new Amapetu

By Adekola Afolabi
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The Ondo State Executive Council has approved the construction of 7.35 killometre new road network in some areas within Akure, the state capital.

The road construction would cover OSRC/Orita-Obele/ Oke-Odu junction, Ipinsa/Ireakari/ Atibiti Layout and rehabilitation of Maronu Street and Ondo road, all in Akure South Local Government area of the state.

This was disclosed during a press briefing jointly addressed by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo and his counterparts from the Ministries of Natural Resources, Tayo Oluwatuyi, and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mrs Lola Fagbemi, as well as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr. Olawunmi Ilawole, shorty after the State Executive Council Meeting.

Ojogo said other fundamental decisions taken by the State Executive Council included the take over of Bethel College of Education, Ijare, in principle, by Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) and the approval of appointment of Prince Segun Akinyemi as Amapetu-elect of Mahin Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area.

The Commissioner for Information who described road as one of the priorities of the present government to ensure safer and motorable road network across the state, also said Akeredolu’s giant strides in roads construction would  greatly boost socio-economic activities of the people of the benefitting areas.

“The governor felt that the people of the state desire and deserve motorable roads. It is a thing that is very fundamental and we believe it is going to ease traffic along the affected areas. What the people in these areas are facing are better imagined than experienced. So, this is another social intervention by Mr Governor and the government of Ondo State to show to the people of the state that this is a responsive and responsible government,” Ojogo added.

  He said the unique aspect of the road construction by the present administration was that all the contractors working with the state government are just working without any mobilisation fee, but count on the integrity of the governor to get their money later.

Also, the Commissioner for Natural Resources, Tayo Oluwatuyi explained that the newly approved roads project

covered about seven political Wards in Akure Local Government Area South. He listed the political Wards to include Ward 11,  Ward 10, Ward 4, Ward 5, Ward 2 and Ward 3, within Akure metropolis.

 Oluwatuyi particularly appreciated Governor Akeredolu for giving approval for the construction of the affected roads which he said would put an end to the difficulty being faced by motorists and commuters plying the affected roads.

On her part, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lola Fagbemi, explained that the Amapetu-elect from Alagbon Ruling House scored the highest number of votes cast during the election of the new monarch, describing  the Amapetu stool as one of the important stools in the traditional institution in the state.

She noted that the appointment of the new monarch was in line with the determination of the Akeredolu-led administration to boost traditional institution and fill all vacant stools in the state in compliance with due process and extant Chieftaincy laws.

On the take-over of Bethel College of Education, Ijare, a privately owned institution, by AAUA, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Dr. Olawunmi Ilawole said the development would further boost infrastructure in the education sector in the state which is one of the cardinal programmes of the present government.

The committee set up to look into the takeover of the college by AAUA had presented its findings to the Governor about the suitability of the College of Education for the use of Adekunle Ajasin University.

Dr Ilawole disclosed that the development clearly showed the commitment of the Akeredolu-led administration to the development of the education sector in the state by bridging infrastructural gaps in the state-owned institutions.

She said with this, AAUA could move its students in the Pre-Degree programme to the facilities without any hindrance.