From BAMIGBOLA GBOLAGUNTE, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola has disclosed that his government has in less than three years completed over 900 kilometers of both inter and intra city roads across the 30 local government areas of the state.

Governor Aregbesola revealed this at the flag off ceremony of the construction of an Interchange Bridge in Gbongan, Ayedaade Local Government Area of the state that Osun would within the shortest possible time boast of the best road networks in the Nigeria.

The bridge, which connects those traveling on the Ibadan-Ile-Ife Expressway with those coming to Osun through Gbongan was named after the former governor of the state, Chief Adebisi Akande.

He held that good roads were critical to the modern state, adding that physical transportation of human and materials is primarily by road in Osun.

Aregbesola pointed out that the record of constructing 553 kilometres of roads in almost eight years of PDP in Osun pales into insignificance when compared with the 513 kilometres of high quality roads constructed in 24 months by the present ACN government in the state.

He said: “Our assault on bad roads therefore is massive. At the state level, work is ongoing at different road projects and at varying stages of completion. These are: rehabilitation of 21 Osogbo township roads, rehabilitation of 15 Ilesa township roads, rehabilitation of 14 Ede township roads by direct labour.

“Twenty intercity roads totaling 319 kilometres, 13 intra-city roads, totalling 79.46 kilometres, rehabilitation of select roads in six zones totaling 74.1 kilometres, eight roads inherited from past administration totalling 144.29 kilometres, dualisation of Osogbo-Kwara boundary road totalling 43.37 kilometres and dualisation of Gbongan-Orileowu-Ijebu Igbo Road,” he added.

He stated further that his administration at the beginning of this year commenced the construction of 229 kilometres local government roads spread across all the local governments in the state.

The first interchange bridge and first motorway are in the offing in Osun as Governor Rauf Aregbesola on Saturday flagged off the construction of the Omoluabi Motorway and Bisi Akande Trumpet Interchange Bridge.
The governor at the event witnessed by large crowd in Gbongan area of the state said his government was having a massive assault on bad roads.
He held that good roads are critical to the modern state, adding that physical transportation of human and materials is primarily by road in Osun.
Aregbesola pointed out that the record of constructing 553 kilometres of roads in almost eight years of PDP in Osun pales into insignificance when compared with the 513 kilometres of high quality roads concluded in 24 months by the present ACN government in the state.

He said, “Our assault on bad roads therefore is massive. At the state level, work is ongoing at different road projects and at varying stages of completion. These are: rehabilitation of 21 Osogbo township roads, rehabilitation of 15 Ilesa township roads, rehabilitation of 14 Ede township roads by direct labour.

“20 intercity roads totalling 319 kilometres, 13 intra-city roads totalling 79.46 kilometres, rehabilitation of select roads in six zones totalling 74.1 kilometres, eight roads inherited from past administration totalling 144.29 kilometres, dualisation of Osogbo-Kwara boundary road totalling 43.37 kilometres and dualisation of Gbongan-Orileowu-Ijebu Igbo Road.” Aregbesola told the gathering.

He added that his administration at the beginning of this year commenced the construction of 229 kilometres Local Government roads spread across all the local governments in the state and one Area Office.
According to him, “We are also exploring and investing in other avenues like the rails. Bad roads regrettably are responsible for a lot of road accidents that claim lives and leave hitherto able-bodied individuals permanently incapacitated, an avoidable depletion of our valuable human resources.

“Bad roads also have health cost, besides the possibility of road accidents. People are loath to travel on bad roads because of the possible challenge to their health after the trip. Good roads on the other hand will enhance economic and social activities, bring down the cost of goods and services and reduce wear and tear on vehicles.” Aregbesola noted.

The governor stressed that the present administration has been giving serious attention to the development of road infrastructure across cities and towns in the State.

He noted that It is on record that the heights the that the present government attained in two years in the area of road infrastructure dwarf what the last PDP administration achieved in 90 months.
The governor stressed that the roads are of high quality engineering with 50 mm asphalt on stone base with concrete drainage which he described as a far cry from the old practice of cheap macadam overlay on weakly compacted earth and poor drainage provision.
Aregbesola also added that the construction of the Omoluabi Motorway and the Adebisi Akande Interchange Bridge are very important for the advancement of the socio-economic interests of the people of the state.
He emphasised that the two projects when completed will also improve the safety and comfort of both motorists and pedestrians, adding that the bridge and the road will be constructed with quality materials that will enable them last for more than 30 years.

In his remark, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Transport, Engineer Sabitu Oladepo Amudah, described the road as another huge project of the Aregbesola administration.

Amudah disclosed that within two and half years of the administration, more than 900km of inter and intra-city roads have been constructed by government amounting to N92 billion.
The project, which is a 30km super highway, was awarded to RATCON Construction Company at the cost of N29. 22 and will be completed in 18months period.

Frank-C:
Ok, to make it simple, this guy is saying that they have constructed an equivalent (in length) of roads from Abuja to Ibadan and back to Abuja and back to Lokoja. Sounds interesting...

Dreal1247: Photoshop is helping Nigerian politicians to construct imaginary roads that exist only in the net and on the pages of newspapers. We av heard.

Dreal1247: Photoshop is helping Nigerian politicians to construct imaginary roads that exist only in the net and on the pages of newspapers. We av heard.

Frank-C:
Ok, to make it simple, this guy is saying that they have constructed an equivalent (in length) of roads from Abuja to Ibadan and back to Abuja and back to Lokoja. Sounds interesting...