President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, flagged off the concrete construction of the 82-kilometre Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road and the reconstruction of the 88-kilometre Osogbo-Gbongan Road.
Tinubu described the projects as strategic investments aimed at improving connectivity, boosting economic activity and restoring confidence in public infrastructure.
The President, represented by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, performed the flag-off ceremony at Aje International Market, Osogbo, Osun State, saying the projects were part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tinubu said the commencement of the projects signified more than the start of road construction, stressing that it represented a renewed commitment by the Federal Government to connect communities, unlock economic opportunities and improve the quality of life of Nigerians. NigerianPolitics Coverage
“Today, we are not just turning soil, we are turning a page. Flagging off these road projects marks a clear commitment to connect our people, unlock opportunities and restore confidence in public infrastructure,” he said.
According to him, the roads are critical components of the Federal Government’s infrastructure development programme designed to enhance connectivity, improve road safety and stimulate socio-economic activities across Osun and Oyo states.
He noted that the roads would enable farmers to transport produce faster, improve access to schools and facilitate the movement of people and goods along the corridor.
President Tinubu disclosed that the 82-kilometre Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road, which begins at the Dele Yes Sir Roundabout in Osogbo and passes through Ara, Awo, Ede, Telemu, Iwo, Laagun before terminating in Ibadan, had deteriorated significantly over the years.
He said the project, awarded to Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Limited at a cost of N114.85 billion, would be executed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology and completed within 24 months.
Tinubu also announced that the reconstruction of the 44-kilometre dual carriageway between Osogbo and Gbongan, covering a total of 88 kilometres, had been awarded to Trucrete Solutions Limited for N101.81 billion, with a completion period of 24 months.
He explained that the project would involve upgrading failed single carriageway sections to dual carriageways on rigid concrete pavement, reconstructing dualised but deteriorated sections, and providing modern road infrastructure.
According to him, the projects will include drainage systems, reinforced concrete pavement, solar-powered street lights, CCTV surveillance cameras, tree planting, lay-bys and other safety features.
Tinubu said the projects were approved by the Federal Executive Council to ease the burden on motorists and improve the economic fortunes of communities along the corridors.
He directed the contractors to mobilise fully to their respective project sites, warning that delays would not be tolerated.
The President said his administration was simultaneously executing major highway projects across the country, including the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Road, the Ilesa-Akure-Owo-Benin Road, sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and the Trans-Sahara Trade Route.
He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would enforce quality standards, transparency and value for money in the execution of all infrastructure projects. NigerianPolitics Coverage
“Every naira must count, every milestone must be met, and every community must feel the benefit,” he said.
Tinubu urged contractors to see themselves as development partners by delivering quality jobs on schedule and engaging young people in their operations to build local capacity.
He expressed confidence that the projects would be completed successfully and contribute significantly to the nation’s economic transformation.
“With God on our side, we shall complete these projects and deploy them for the benefit and economic revolution of our nation. These roads shall be done and will be a success,” the President said.
Earlier, the Minister of Works, Prof David Umahi, in his address, said the Federal Government was making significant progress on road infrastructure projects across the country, citing the ongoing rehabilitation of the Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa highway by CBC Global and the dualisation of the Ilesa–Akure–Owo–Benin Road by Hitech Construction Company.
He noted that both projects were being executed using rigid concrete pavement technology and had reached various stages of completion, reflecting the administration’s commitment to delivering durable road infrastructure.
Umahi also highlighted steady progress on other flagship highway projects, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, where the Lagos section has been substantially completed, while work on the Ogun, Akwa Ibom and Cross River sections is advancing at different levels.
He added that construction on the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway was progressing across several sections, with additional segments being accelerated, while work had also commenced on the Trans-Sahara Trade Route linking Calabar to Abuja through Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states, with engineering designs underway for other portions.
The Minister assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would maintain strict standards of quality, transparency and accountability in the execution of all road projects, stressing that contractors must deliver value for money and complete projects on schedule.
He urged contractors, engineers and government partners at all levels to work collaboratively and involve young Nigerians in project execution, expressing confidence that the ongoing investments would strengthen public trust, improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth across the country. NigerianPolitics Coverage
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
