IBADAN/Nigeria: In a bid to enhance the seamless movement of goods and people along the critical 48-kilometer Ido-Eruwa road, the Oyo State Government has issued a directive urging the project contractor to expedite construction efforts.
The call to action was made by the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Professor Dahud Kehinde Sangodoyin, during his inspection of the project’s progress on Friday.
Governor Seyi Makinde awarded this vital project with the objective of linking all zones within the State, and the contractor has already been mobilized for its completion, which marks the final phase of connecting these essential roads. Work on the project commenced approximately one and a half months ago.
Professor Sangodoyin emphasized that Governor Makinde initiated the interconnection of all zones during his first term and has remained committed to their completion. Notably, the Oyo-Ibadan, Oyo-Ogbomoso, Oyo-Oke-Ogun, Oke-Ogun-Ibadan, Oke-Ogun-Ogbomoso, and Ibarapa-Ibadan roads have already been successfully linked.
Highlighting the manifold benefits of connecting these zones, Commissioner Sangodoyin emphasized that it would significantly ease the transportation of agricultural produce from remote farms to markets across the State while enhancing the security and safety of lives and property.
The Commissioner provided further insights into the ongoing work, stating, “What I have seen is that they have started working on a palliative path for regular movement so that it will ease the flow of traffic. Two, they have started working seriously on the drainage. If you are coming from Ido, they have completed around 2 kilometers of line drain and some culverts.”
He continued, “Now, at the Eruwa end, work has started on the line drain and earthworks. So, what I have agreed with the contractor is to expedite action on the project, especially at the Eruwa end of the 48 kilometers. They will start work tomorrow on the line drain on that end with 500 meters on both sides of the drainage system. Thereafter, they will spread asphalt up to 2.5 kilometers, which I expect them to do between now and the end of September.”
Commissioner Sangodoyin reassured motorists and residents of Eruwa and Ibadan, urging patience and assuring them that work on the project, which has already begun, will not cease until it reaches completion. He also pointed out that the dry season is gradually approaching, further aiding construction progress.
Supporting the Commissioner’s commitment to prompt project completion, the Project Manager of HFP Engineering Limited, Engineer Vincent Okafor, affirmed their readiness to comply with the directive and double production efforts to meet the promised timeline.
