President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has on Thursday officially commissioned the 76.67 kilometer Adebayo Alao-Akala Memorial Expressway in Oyo state.
The road, formerly Iseyin-Apewo Village Junction-Ahoro Dada-Fatope-Ogbomoso Road was renamed by Governor Seyi Makinde after former Governor of the state, late Adebayo Alao-Akala to immortalize him and also to appreciate his immensely contributions to the development of the state.
The road, described as a landmark legacy project, spans 76.67km across many communities between Iseyin and Ogbomoso. The project, which was initiated and completed by Governor Makinde led administration was commissioned by President Bola Tinubu who was ably represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima amidst fanfare in Ogbomoso.
Makinde in his address assured that the ongoing 48km Eruwa-Ido to Ibadan road project would also be completed in due time for commissioning as part of his commitment to improving the state’s infrastructural deficit promising to continue to put in efforts to uplift the people of Oyo state while creating an enabling environment for private investments to thrive.
President Tinubu in his address, commended Governor Makinde for prioritizing infrastructure development and delivering on his promise to improve the state’s road network.
Shettima noted that Oyo state remains his second home and holds a special place in his heart while commending Governor Makinde for embarking and completing such huge road project which he said would in no small measure positively impact on the socio-economy of the state, assuring that the president would support the governor in his stride to transforming the state into an agronomic hub in Nigeria stressing that governance remains a convergence of many parts which forms a whole.
He said, “Oyo holds a pivotal role in economy of the country, Oyo is exemplary model for every state in the country, sustenance of democracy largely depends on good infrastructure which can aid growth and development.”
“President Tinubu will support governor Makinde in his agricultural drive programme in Oyo, to reflect on a journey of progress, a tradition of excellence, democracy can only thrive when all connecting factors collectively build lasting infrastructures.”
“A well constructed network of roads serve as gateway to development, linking producers to markets, fulfillment of promises sustenance of democracy would be difficult without good roads, this road has a potential to open up new opportunities in commerce and agriculture. Eco agenda of President Tinubu is rooted in infrastructure development.”
“For bridging the political gaps, inclusiveness, setting up long lasting infrastructures that will open up the state for businesses opportunity posterity will be kind to governor Seyi Makinde.” Shettima said.
In his words, governor Makinde said, “the drive for development necessitated an aggressive construction of roads toi k every town within the state. We are currently working on the 48km I do/Eruwa road to connect Ibarapa to Ibadan.”
“Our aim is to link all road within the state, we will continue to reduce infrastructural deficit and invite local and international investors into the state for our socio-economic expansion and development.” Makinde said.
The newly commissioned road, spanning several communities including Iseyin, Apewo, Ahoro Dada, Fatope, and Ogbomoso, is expected according to different speakers at the event, facilitate smoother transportation, reduce travel time, and enhance accessibility to markets, schools, and healthcare facilities between Ogbomoso and Oke-ogun.
The Commissioner for Works, Professor Daud Sangodoyin, earlier in his welcome address, said the newly commissioned road is poised to stimulate economic growth, attract investment, and improve the overall quality of life for residents of the state in addition to the fact that both Oke-ogun and Ogbomoso geopolitical zones have been successfully connected together by the road.
Providing details about the road, Ogundoyin said: “The cross-section of the roadway consists of 7.3m carriageway, 1.5m hard shoulders on both sides of the carriageway, 1.Om x 1.0m open reinforced concrete lined drain at the township and settlement areas while earth drains were provided at the edges of the roadway in sections without township/settlement.”
“The major features of the road include site clearing, earthworks (Cut-to-fill, borrow to fill, cut to spoil and removal of unsuitable materials), 1.0m x 1.0m open reinforced concrete drainage, box culverts of various sizes, retaining walls, embankment protection, sub-soil drainage and filter beds; 4-spans of 15m each bridge over River Ogun measuring 60m as the total span, 3-spans of 15m each bridge over River Oba measuring 45m as the total span and the pavement works inclusive of 150mm thick laterite sub-base, 150mm thick laterite base on the shoulders, 150mm crushed stone base on the carriageway, 30mm compacted thickness of asphaltic
concrete wearing course on the shoulder.”
“Also 50mm compacted thickness of asphaltic concrete binder course on 7.3m carriageway and 40mm compacted thickness of asphaltic concrete wearing course on chains through linking of our vast arable lands to the city centres and consequently leveraging on the state’s comparative advantage in agriculture by way of improved movement of farm produce from the farms to markets.”
Earlier, the Managing Directors of KOPEK and Craneburg Constructions Company Limited, the project contractors, Mr Issam Faghail and Mr Gilbert Sassine, in their separate submissions expressed their pride in the accomplishments of the project which was said to have commenced on a virgin land as there was no previous road construction on the land.
In her goodwill message, Engr. Raheemah Abiola Adabanija, the Chairperson, Association of Professional Engineers stated that the body on its own carried out integrity test on the quality and standard of the road project, and expressed its satisfaction with the job done by governor Makinde while highlighting the socio-economic significance and impact of the project to the state and stressed the professional body’s desire to continue to work together for the common goal of societal advancement.
Former First Lady of Oyo state and wife of former governor Alao-Akala, in her brief remarks commended Makinde for not forgetting her husband and also lauded him for fulfilling his promise to the people of Ogbomoso praying God to strengthen him to do more for the people of Oyo state.
The Vice President was accompanied by the Kwara state governor and chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Abdulraman Abdulrazak.
Present at the event are the Speaker, Oyo state House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, Chief Judge of the state, Justice Iyabo Yerima, wives of the former governor, Mrs. Oluwakemi and Florence Alao-Akala, member, General Oladayo Popoola (rtd) former governor of Oyo and Ogun states, members of Oyo state executive Council, members of state and national assembly from both the PDP and APC from the state.
The National Acting chairman of PDP, Alia Damagum, led other national executive Council members of the party including Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, to the event while Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke led other members of the state executive council of the party as well as the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta, Alhaji Akinola Makanjuola and other notable personalities.
Soun of Ogbomoso, HIM Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, led other traditional rulers to the event while the leadership of both Muslim and Christian community in the state were also in attendance.