Oyo state House of Assembly lawmaker, Honourable Akintunde Olajide representing Lagelu State Constituency, has lauded Governor Seyi Makinde for coming to the rescue of the people of Lagelu by flagging off construction of the Akobo-ojurin Fly-Over Bridge yesterday.
The lawmaker who described Governor Makinde as “Our Mr Talk and Do Governor” gave the commendation in a statement on Thursday 18th March and made available to journalists.
Hon Akintunde who is also the House Committee Chairman on Commerce and Cooperatives explained that the bridge is critical to the economy of the state as well as the Socio Economic wellbeing of the people in the area.
He noted that the troubles commuters and residents of Akobo and its environs, and all those plying the road along Akobo-ojurin to Idi-Ape, Gates, and other parts of town especially during the early hours the day was better be imagined.
AKT as he popularly called decried the manner in which the last administration and it’s contractors handled the project stressing that Governor Makinde has continued to stay committed to all his election promises to the people of Lagelu and the state at large.
“I want to specially express my joy and gratitude to our Mr Talk and Do Governor whose passion for Oyo state remains unmatched and unprecedented among all the leaders of this state.
“It was with great joy we received the news yesterday that the Governor according to his promise, has flagged off construction of the Akobo-ojurin fly-over bridge.
“That bridge is greatly important and key to the economy of Oyo state and its current state has created serious impediment to the socioeconomic wellbeing of residents of Akobo and its environs and all socioeconomic activities of the area.
“Like they say, it is better late than never, we have been on this issue for the past almost ten years throughout the tenure of the last administration and we saw the appalling we found ourselves as a result of negligence and levity but we thank God for Governor Makinde who has finally yielded to our clamours.
“We will continue at the legislative arm level, to give the state government necessary support to continue consolidating on the landmark accomplishments it has recorded under less than two years in office and ensure that Oyo state takes its enviable place of pride among other states in Nigeria.
Sunrisebulletin earlier reported that Governor Seyi Makinde as part of efforts to create an economically viable environment for the state flagged off construction of 65 meters Akobo-ojurin fly-over bridge on Wednesday 17th of March after terminating the contract with the previous handler.
Governor Makinde was quoted as saying that the present administration has saved the state about N40 million as result of terminating the contract with the previous contractor employed by the last administration and re-awarding it to a new contractor at a far lower cost.
The Governor who stressed the importance of the bridge to economy of Oyo state also assured that the bridge will be completed within six months and be ready for use by the people.
Governor Makinde said: “like I said earlier, this bridge is very critical and important to our economy because if you come here in the morning, those going to work and headed towards Idi-Ape, Gates, and its environs, you will see long cue of vehicles stuck up in heavy traffic.
“Whatever project we are embarking on doing shall be ones that will directly impact on the state economy positively.
“The original contract was awarded in 2017 for the project from Idi-Ape to Akobo-ojurin, up to Odogbo barracks junction. The contractor was handling the job with so much levity.
“The amount last administration awarded the contract for the fly-over bridge was N1.464 billion and they paid N368 million to the contractor, unfortunately, what we got for the N368 million was the irons and concretes you can see over there.
“Well, that N1.464 billion for the contract in 2017, despite the increase in exchange rate and inflation in year 2021, we have reawarded the same contract for N1.058 billion.”
“So, we have been able to save the sum of N40 million for Oyo state from the 2017 contract arrangement under the last administration.”
Honourable Akintunde has however, charged the new contractor to do a diligent work in accordance with the assurances given to the Governor and the state government while reassuring the people of Lagelu local government of his continued effective representation at the legislative Chambers.
