Oyo govt rolls out N113bn for major road projects, green expansion

Oyo State Government has approved a fresh batch of road and infrastructure projects worth over ₦113 billion, funded through the recently approved ₦300 billion loan by the State House of Assembly.

The approval was announced after the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held on Tuesday at the Governor’s Office, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.

Commissioner for Works and Public Transport, Mojeed Mogbonjubola, said the approved projects span both new constructions and the continuation of existing ones across various regions of the state.

Key projects approved include the asphaltic reconstruction of 13.6km of the Ojoo–IITA–Moniya Junction Road at a cost of ₦63,611,154,690.82.

He further stated that the dualisation of 6.2km Ajia Junction (Ibadan/Ife Interchange) to Nigeria Air Force Base Road was also approved at a cost of ₦17,187,255,757.07.

Also included is the continuation of thermoplastic road marking, kerb painting and limited patching on state roads in Ibadan metropolis through direct labour intervention of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to the tune of ₦444,796,631.50. The first tranche, according to the Commissioner, covers SDP–All Motors and Airport Road with its adjoining roads.

Other approved projects include the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Okaka Junction–Otu Igbojaye–KAP Village Road (30km) and the construction of bridges over Otu and Ofiki rivers at a cost of ₦26,482,664,312.33.

Additionally, the expansion of the scope of work on the reconstruction/rehabilitation of Apete–Awotan–Akufo Road (12km) and rigid pavement construction of Akufo Farm Settlement Road (2.2km) at a cost of ₦1,935,629,520.32 was approved by the Council.

The asphaltic construction of Isaba–Ogundoyin Road, Eruwa (0.75km) and Lanlate Garage Junction–Local Government Junction–Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Oke Ola Junction Road, Eruwa (1.90km) was also approved to the tune of ₦4,146,068,573.56.

The government further approved the planting of economic trees along both sides of the 32km Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Circular Road (Phase 1) at a cost of ₦108,044,103.50.

Mogbonjubola also disclosed that the Council approved the sum of ₦110 million for the camping and hosting of the Under-20 Female National Football Team in preparation for the Women’s World Cup Qualifying match between Nigeria and Rwanda in Ibadan, Oyo State.

He assured that the approved projects are to be completed within the next 12 to 18 months to help enhance socio-economic investment in the state.

Also speaking at the briefing, Commissioner for Lands, Mr Akin-Funmilayo Williams, while reiterating the state’s commitment to improving enduring legacies, said 35,000 tree seedlings have been funded to be planted around the Tech-U Junction–Badeku area of the first segment of the Ibadan Circular Road to enhance air quality and beautify the environment.

Addressing concerns over the ₦300 billion loan, the Commissioner clarified that it is not a fresh loan, contrary to the opposition APC’s claims.

He explained that it comprises two components, with one part to be used to refinance an existing loan facility, replacing an older, more expensive loan with a new facility on better terms, thereby reducing the state’s repayment burden.

He said the other part will finance some of the newly approved road projects, among others.

The press briefing was also attended by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, and the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, among others.

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