FG kicks off N6bn Oyo/Ogbomoso Expressway construction •Sets 2019 completion date

THE Federal Government, on Monday, formally inaugurated the construction of N6billion Oyo/Ogbomoso expressway, and promised to ensure its completion during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The reactivation of the express road  was kicked off by Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, at Elete, Atiba Local Government Area, Oyo.

The ministers of Information and Tourism and his Works, Power and Housing counterpart, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Babatunde Raji Fashola; were represented by the Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Oyo State, Mrs Dolapo Dosunmu and the Federal Controller of Works, Oyo State, Mr Anya Omerekpe, respectively.

Fashola assured the people of the state that the job would be done according to the specification of the ministry, noting that “the contractor will be forced to give the nation, value for the money.”

In a speech delivered by Mrs Dosunmu, Lai Mohammed affirmed that the government of President Buhari would put adequate structure that will facilitate development on ground.

In his address, the governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, congratulated the people of the state for living to see the eventual reconstruction of the road which was first conceived 37 years ago.

According to governor Ajimobi, when completed, the road would lead to rapid economic development across states in the country.

He added that the APC-led government at all levels would continue to uphold the interest of the people.

The Managing Director of the construction company, Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), represented by his deputy, Nader Yusuf, assured the Federal Government on quality of the job.

He said with over 60 years of working in Nigeria, the company is known for its quality delivery, promising that the current job would not be an exception.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Kabiru Gaya, said the road would be completed within three years.

He called on the contractor, Reynolds Construction Company (RCC), to speed up and finish the project within the stipulated time.

“I want you to work extra hard to achieve this because this is a very important road to Oyo State people and Nigeria,” he said.

In her speech, Senator Sunmonu, who said she felt indebted to her constituents because resumption of work on the road was her focal point during 2015 campaign, commended President Buhari for approving the budget for the once a death-trap road.

She revealed that in her bid to ensure that the project got mentioned in 2016 budget, she “co-sponsored a motion moved on the floor of the Senate, which directed investigation into the status of dilapidated and uncompleted roads in Nigeria.”

Dignitaries in attendance include the Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Ordia Clifford; Senator Mao; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III; members of the state executive; Honourable Hakeem Adeyemi; chairmen caretaker committees of local government areas and former members of the state House of Assembly.