IN its quest to meet the challenges associated with urban redevelopment, the Ogun State, government has unfolded a 3-year infrastructure development plan.
The global perspective of the programme involved road construction and rehabilitations, street light installation and drainage facilities among others stretched to all the three senatorial districts, namely, Ogun Central, Ogun East and Ogun West respectively.
To ensure the smooth execution of the project, a sum of N140 billion was said t have been projected, with 14 major roads earmarked for the programme, with eight of them already approved and contracts awarded.
The major roads include; Ilisan-Ago Iwoye, (25 kilometres), Ejinrin Oluwalogbon Junction (9kilometres), Sagamu-Benin-Expressway Junction-Oba Erinwole Junction (7kilometres), Ilo Awela Road, Ola (4.5), Ilara-Ijoun-Equa-Oja Odan Road (60) kilometre), MKO Abiola Way, Abeokuta (6kilometres) Ojere Adatan-Asero (9) kilometres and Brewery Junction-OGTV Road, (8.7) kilometres).
Besides, Ogun, in conjunction with the Lagos government are planning to enter into partnership to rehabilitate some roads, especially, Ijebu-Ode- Epe road and Shagamu-Ikorodu-Ogijo road, among others.
Speaking on the development plan so far, Gun State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite, an architect, said contractors have been mobilized to commence works on the eight approved roads.
He gave the duration of the project execution to be within the range of 18- 36 months.
“Besides, the project became imperative in view of the challenges facing the state vis-à-vis its economic potentials and the quest to tap the emerging opportunities for real estate, tourism and other economic activities”.
Adegbite also hinted that the projected amount include compensation for those whose properties may be affected and for the provision of the necessary amenities that would ensure the achievement of the urban renewal goals of the government.
The contractors handling the projects are Messrs CCECC, Borini Prono, P.W. Nigeria limited and Hi-Tech Construction Company.
According to Adegbite, most of the roads fell into those that classified as “Federal Roads”, noting that Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s administration could not continue waiting for the federal government’s intervention, but rather, embarked on the construction of the roads, having satisfied the prerequisite laid down by the federal government on road rehabilitations under her purview.
“Although, we are not unmindful of the possibility of delay in the repayment by the federal government. Besides, we were currently being owed N5 billion for roads that had being either rehabilitated or constructed by the past administrations. But that notwithstanding, we owe our people the responsibility of making the roads passable to enhance the socio-economic development of Ogun State and its people”, said Adegbite.
Concerning the new development in the Lagos-Ibadan expressway expansion project, by which new contractors were just appointed, Adegbite said Ogun government welcomed the development.
Whether the newly appointment of new contractors would spark any controversy just as it was with Messrs Bi-Courtney, the Commissioner, while rebutting any disagreement with the concessionaire, said the only area of disagreement was that it (the former concessionaire) failed to respect the agreement it signed with the last administration.
“Our administration is not out to witch hunt any body, only that we have our goals and targets, which essentially, is to meet the needs and aspirations of the people of Ogun state and to work for the attainment of creating an enabling environment by which its economic potentials would be achieved.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|