The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr John Kayode Fayemi of the All Progressive Congress (APC), on Thursday, September 15, 2022, commissioned the uncompleted Idi-Ape-Basorun-Akobo-Olorunda-Abba Road.
The construction of the stretched road terminated at Odogbo Barracks and the government has not shown its commitment to the construction of the remaining part of the road.
It would be recalled that the immediate past governor of the state, late Senator Abiola Ajimobi awarded only 7.25kilometres of the road from Idi-Ape to Olorunda-Abba for construction. The contract covers the Idi-Ape-Basorun-Akobo-Odogbo Barrack Junction and a flyover bridge at the General Gas.
The construction of the road under Ajimobi was sub-standardly done.
Investigation revealed that Ajimobi played huge politics with the road because he was not prepare to construct the flyover at General Gas, hence, he stopped the road construction at Basorun.
Upon resumption, Governor Seyi Makinde of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), assured the residents of the area that the flyover bridge would be constructed and the 7. 25kilometres awarded by his predecessor would be completed.
This promised, he fulfilled and also rehabilitated parts of Idi-Ape to Basorun that was badly done under the administration of Ajimobi.
However, the remaining part of the long stretch of the road starting from Gbagi Area, very close to Odogbo Barracks to Olorunda-Abba needs to be constructed to complete the project.
The residents of the area applauded Governor Makinde for part of the road constructed and appealed for the immediate award of the remaining part of the road for construction, stressing that without extending the construction of the road to Olorunda-Abba, the suffering on the road is yet to be over.
They noted that Gbagi to Olorunda-Abba is no longer motorable.
“We appreciate Governor Seyi Makinde for a job well done but the governor needs to know that the construction of the road is not complete. We thank him for completing the part that Ajimobi started. For his name to be fully written in gold in our area, he must immediately award the remaining part, from Gbagi to Olorunda-Abba and ensure that the construction is completed before the expiration of his first term. If he does this, we will roll out drums for him and we will never forget him in this area”, a motorist said.
Another resident of the area pointed out, “Whenever I leave my house at Olorunda, going to the secretariat where I work, I feel very bad. It takes me so long before getting to the junction of Odogbo Barracks where the road is good. When I am returning in the afternoon. I will be happy until after Odogbo Barracks where the road is very bad till I get to my house. The governor should help us by making our joy to be full. The only way he can do this is by constructing the remaining part of the road.”
