…Pledges 12–18 months for completion
The Oyo State Government on Tuesday approved a fresh batch of road and infrastructure projects worth over N113 billion, to be funded from the N300 billion loan recently sanctioned by the House of Assembly.
The approvals were ratified at the weekly State Executive Council meeting held at the Exco Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan.
Briefing newmen after the meeting, Commissioner for Works and Public Transport, Mr Mojeed Mogbonjubola, said the approvals cover both ongoing and new projects across the state.
He disclosed that the state has approved the asphaltic reconstruction and rehabilitation of the 13.6-kilometre Ojoo Interchange–IITA–Moniya Junction–Akinyele Interchange, including spurs to the New Oyo Expressway in Ibadan, at a cost of over N63 billion.
He added that the Ministry will also continue thermoplastic road marking, kerbs painting, and limited patching on state roads in Ibadan metropolis through direct labour intervention, starting from SDP–All Motors to Airport Road, with a budget of approximately N445 million.
Mr Mogbonjubola further revealed that the dualisation of the 6.2-kilometre Ajia Junction (Ibadan/Ife Interchange) to the Nigeria Air Force Base Road was approved at a cost of more than N17 billion.
The reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Okaka Junction–Otu Igbojaye–KAP Village Road, spanning 30 kilometres, including the construction of bridges over Otu and Ofiki rivers, will cost over N26 billion.
The Council also approved an expansion of the Apete–Awotan–Akufo Road project, along with the rigid pavement construction of the Akufo Farm Settlement Road, at nearly N2 billion.
In addition, the government sanctioned the asphaltic construction of the Isaba–Ogundoyin Road in Eruwa and the Lanlate Garage Junction–Local Government Junction–Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic Oke Ola Junction Road, totalling over N4 billion. The Council also approved funding for the planting of economic trees along both sides of the 32-kilometre Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Circular Road (Phase 1), at a cost exceeding N108 million.
Highlighting the state’s support for sports, Mr Mogbonjubola said the Council also approved N110 million for hosting and accommodating the Under-20 Female National Football Team in preparation for the Women’s World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria and Rwanda in Ibadan.
He assured that all projects would be completed within 12 to 18 months, aimed at enhancing the socio-economic development of Oyo State.
Speaking on the controversial N300 billion loan, the Commissioner emphasised that it is not a fresh loan, explaining: “This comprises two components. Part of it will refinance an existing loan on better terms, reducing the state’s repayment burden, while the remainder will fund newly approved road projects and other critical infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Akin-Funmilayo Williams, said the state has funded 35,000 tree seedlings to be planted along the Tech-U Junction–Badeku segment of the Ibadan Circular Road, to increase oxygenation and enhance the environmental aesthetics of the corridor.
