How Massive Road Construction Changed Negative Narratives In Osun

By Ismaeel Uthman

The negative narratives on the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola by members of the public, and particularly the opposition parties have been fading away, investigation has revealed.

OSUN DEFENDER noted that the perception of the people of the state about the Aregbesola’s administration is gradually changing, with favourable comments from the general public.

Investigations revealed that the completion of some projects which some of the people thought had been abandoned restored hope and confidence in the minds of the people who had been feeling disappointed in the Aregbesola’s administration.

Some of the projects which the people had thought had been abandoned included the 40km Dualisation of Osogbo-Ikirun-Ila-Odo-KWSB road, 17.40km Oba Adesoji Aderemi/Osogbo-East bypass road, 2.80km Olaiya-Ita Olokan and dualisation of Gbongan to Akoda.

But the continued construction of the roads, in spite of the financial challenges facing the state, keeps surprising the people and has left them wondering on how and where the governor is getting the fund for the continuity of the projects.

The reconstruction of Olaiya-Ita Olokan road has been completed and already named ‘Workers Drive’ by Aregbesola.

Commuters on the road have been passing positive comments on Aregbesola’s administration because of its standard.

The road will be commissioned soon.

OSUN DEFENDER visited the Gbongan-Akoda road which hosts a trumpet bridge named after the former governor of the state, Chief Adebisi Akande, and noted that the dualisation was almost at Ode-Omu, which is few kilometer away to Akoda.

The construction of the Bisi Akande Trumpet brigde has been completed.

According to the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Kazeem Salami, about 3km of some parts of the road were constructed with reclamation process and stone boulders.

When OSUN DEFENDER inspected the Osogbo-Ikirun-Ila-Odo-KWSB road construction on Wednesday, the dualisation was almost at Ikirun, Ifelodun local government.

Commercial transporters who are the major commuters on the roads have been expressing their satisfaction on the project, describing it as smooth and friendly to their vehicles.

The Oba Adesoji Aderemi/Osogbo East-bypass is also nearing completion. The four bridges of the road have been completed. The bridges were built over a railway, Osun River, a major road and the other one on another Osun Rivers.

The bridges are named: November 26th, 5 Judges, November 27th and August 8th respectively.

The road, which is nearing its completion, has already been functioning as viable alternative route for commuters just passing through the state without having to go through the traffic in the city.

Traffic now flows freely within the state, as the new By Pass provides alternative route to various destinations within and outside Osogbo, the state capital. When completed, the road, which is circular, will link with the Ring Road (Ibrahim Babangida Way) to form a complete circle round the state capital Osogbo.

From Stadium, the tarring of the road is at Testing Ground, going to Oke-Baale. The road had been tarred from Dele Yes Sir to Ilesa garage.

During his courtesy visit to the governor last Friday, the Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Monsur Liman lauded Aregbesola on the massive development his administration has recorded in infrastructure.

According to Liman, it is evident that Aregbesola has transformed the state with road construction, bridges, beautiful environment, schools among others.

Commenting on the road constructions, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Adelani Baderinwa said massive road construction would enhance economic development and it would enhance smooth transportation of farm produce and goods.

Baderinwa maintained that good infrastructure is the bedrock of socio-economic development, explaining that the massive road construction put in place by Aregbesola’s administration have been connecting people, driving commerce and maintaining global competitiveness.

He noted that the road construction would in no time reduce costs in many economic sectors in the state by providing better accessibility to markets, increase employment, bring in foreign investment and improve global presence in the state.

Baderinwa said Aregbesola deliberately named the Olaiya-Ita Olokan road after workers in the state in appreciation of their sacrifice, understanding and support at the trying period of the state.

In his comment, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Salami expressed satisfaction on the quality of work done by the contractors handling the projects, just as he lauded Aregbesola for his focus on the completion of the roads in spite of the paucity of fund.