Infrastructure takes centre stage as Oyo commits N7bn to roads reconstruction
Infrastructure provision has taken centre stage in Oyo State as the state government is set to commit N7 billion to the rehabilitation/reconstruction of the 65 kilometer Moniya-Ojutaye-Iseyin road. Contract for the rehabilitation of the road has been awarded to Oladiran Engineering and Trade Nigeria Limited, and is expected to be completed in 18 months.
30 percent of the contract sum will be paid to the contractor as advance payment but that, according to Toye Arulogun, the state’s commissioner for information, culture and tourism, will be subject to the provision of an open-ended advance payment guarantee from a reputable bank.
Expectation is that the road will boost both intra and intercity transport links, improve trade, drastically reduce intercity transport connection, encourage investment as well as bring about socio-economic development to the citizens.
The road is also aimed to decongest traffic at all entrances and exits to the state just as it is part of the massive infrastructural development going on in the state.
Arulogun disclosed that the government also approved the 3.6 km Phase 1 asphaltic rehabilitation and reconstruction of Baptist Grammar School Junction (Idi-Ishin)-Agbofieti-All Saints College-Itafaji-Wire and Cable Junction Road in Ibadan at the cost of N120 million.
Government has also approved the supply and installation of solar powered street lights along Dandaru/Parliament Road junction to secretariat roundabout to Government House/SUBEB Junction (lot 1) at a the cost of N94.6 million and 110/Odo-Ona Roundabout to Liberty Road/Ring Road Roundabout Junction (lot 2) at the cost of N50.5 million
The commissioner stressed that the cost of the two projects (lots 1 & 2) amounted to N145 million, adding that phase 1 of the asphaltic rehabilitation and reconstruction of Baptist Grammar School Junction (Idi-Ishin) to Itafaji-Wire and Cable Junction would be handled through direct labour by the state Ministry of Works and Transport, assuring that the 4.0km phase 2 of the road would be executed after the completion of phase 1.
Arulogun said that the contract for the supply and installation of solar–powered street lights has been awarded to Messrs. Technosound Global Investment Limited, saying that the supplier will be mobilized with 60 percent of the contract sum and the balance of 35 percent paid after the successful completion of the project while the 5 percent retention fee would be released after six months of defect liability.
He said that all the projects were approved after due process had been followed, adding that the government would ensure that they were executed according to specifications and in consonance with international best practice.
Akinremi Feyisipo, Ibadan