People of Ondo State have been told of the ongoing plans by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to execute some new infrastructural projects as a way of fulfilling electioneering promises.
Special Adviser to the governor on Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Pastor Ayo Babalola stated this while speaking with journalists in Akure on Wednesday.
He disclosed that paper work has begun on the preparation for the commencement of some new projects, while work has resumed fully on the ongoing project sites.
Babalola assured that the variation in the ongoing projects caused by inflation has been addressed by the supplementary budget and contractors would work at full blast, assuring the governor would begin to inaugurate some of the projects before long.
The SA said: “When the governor was moving round during the campaign, above 80 percent of the requests of the people is infrastructure -road, buildings, health facilities.
“There are some specific roads that they mentioned, we are already working on the papers to fix these areas. Like Akure/Ikare, some areas in Akoko, Ese, Ogbagi and others In Akure, from Oke-Aro junction to Idanre by the grace of God will be dualissed. By the time we do all these, Ondo State would be seen in transformative form.
“Our governor would ensure he develops Ondo State to be among the leading states in the country. There was a time Ondo State was the cleanest state in the country, we are getting back there. He will make serious impact in all areas demanding development in the state.
“Concerning the overhead bridge at Shagari Estate, we’ve mounted the beams remaining the one that will cross the road. The prestressed bim, the contractor has actually imported the materials we need and it will take eight weeks to prepare them. That will fall into December. When he is through, he will bring them and will fix them.
“Pending that time, they are working on the slabs. On the financial implications, those ones have been addressed. Other contractors working on Oda Road, Ijoka Road, we are not happy as well, but in the next three months, Mr. Governor will begin to commission these projects.
“By the time Mr. Governor does the flag-off of Oke-Aro junction/Idanre Road dualization, people will see evidently that what he has promised to do, he’s fulfilling them. He’s a man of his words. He’s a listening governor.
“On our part, we are ready at all times to ensure we bring into realization all the dreams and aspirations of Mr. Governor for the people of the state.
“All the local contractors, artisans all of them will smile. By the time we are through with some of these projects, the economy of the state will turnaround.”
Speaking on the victory of the governor at the just concluded gubernatorial election in the state, the Special Adviser said the outcome of the election was simply the expression of the people’s wish.
He said: “The victory of the governor was simply the wish of the people that was expressed. The result of the election is a response of the people to their agitation.
“By the time you look at the outcome of the election critically, this is the reaction of the people who have been yearning for development and this is a person who is ready to do a lot of things as regards the turning around of Ondo State. By the availability of little funds he had, he had done a lot and the people have seen these.
“It’s a prophesy fulfilled as to the people have been yearning for somebody who has their interest in mind. We thank God immensely that Almighty God brought him on board at this critical time.
“If you look at the result, it has never happened in the history of Ondo State. The contest was keen, this is the first time all the local governments were cleared. It is highly unprecedented. We know there are oppositions, but the people saw something, they know he’s not the kind of person that would say something and would do another thing.
“People shall begin to see the manifestation of those things promised. Some of them got delayed because of the budget, but soon they will begin to see it. All those things have been accommodated in the supplementary budget. I know it’s Odatiwa odirorun. People will certainly laugh.
“But we only need the cooperation of our people because some of the things done, they were ones destroying them. Now we have removed what they called Odi Jericho(Wall of Jericho), that’s the concrete wall on the median of Adesida Road, Akure.
“They applauded Mr. Governor for this. But we want to put guardrail so that people on either sides of the road can see themselves. The appeal is that they should not go there and vandalism it.
“Besides, from the Airport to FUTA, the illumination is clear now. The street light is on the moment we have power supply from BEDC. When you enter Akure now, you will know that you’re in a capital city. Before now, it’s like a road in the jungle. At times I go round to see them. From NEPA Roundabout to Ondo Garage. We have solar lights in some areas. We are going to fix a few lamps that need repair.
“Likewise in Ondo town, they now have their street lights on. For the past six years, Ondo has not experienced this. They applauded the governor. Then we will move to Owo, Ikare and other areas where BEDC powers the streets, we will ensure the lamps are fixed.
“Where there’s proper illumination like this, the crime will reduce because there will be no hiding place from criminals. Regarding the guardrail,we are going to install some CCTV cameras to monitor some of the facilities that we have. We’ve told our kabiesi to warn the people because these facilities are for the benefit of the people. They should not destroy them.”
