Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has flagged off the construction of a flyover bridge across General Gas to Army Barracks Odogbo, Ibadan.
Makinde while speaking at the flag off ceremony this Wednesday said that any Infrastructure project that his administration will embark upon will be the one that can boost the economy of the state.
He noted that the bridge is significant to the state’s economy saying that he felt the pains and problems those plying the other bridge go through. His words:
“Well, this bridge is significant to our economy because if you come here early in the morning, the queue is always long and it disturbs those who are going to their places of work to make ends meet for themselves.
“I have said it before and let me repeat that any infrastructure project that this government will embark upon will be the one that can boost the economy of the state. Upon completion of this bridge, it will be easier for people who want to go to Gate, Idi-Ape or Dugbe for commercial purposes.
“I also want to state that I am aware of the pain and problem, which those who are at the other side of this bridge, are going through. Around this time in 2019, the contractor that this project was formerly awarded to was working at night on the road. Then, I was already governor-elect and on a particular day, around 2 a.m, I was passing along this road and saw them busy laying asphalt. I waited and was wondering why the situation was like that.
“I even taught they wanted to complete it before I would be sworn in as the Governor but I could deduce that they were trying to do some certain things so as to reduce the fund they have already siphoned.
“I am saying this with all sense of responsibility. When we opened their books, we realized the contractor was owing us N400m Naira. Though we have not collected the money, we will still make sure we get it from the contractor.
“The original contract, which was awarded in 2017, was supposed to cover Idi-Ape to Akobo-Ojurin and end at Barracks junction but they were not serious with it. Let us even for a brief moment divert from that. The contractor quoted N1.464b Naira as the amount that will be spent to complete the project and the state government paid N368,000,000 before we terminated the project when we came in. So, does it mean the concrete they have done and some metal objects we are seeing here today worth N368,000,000, which the government paid them? No.
“Well, now in 2021, despite increase in cost price of materials, we re-awarded the project to another contractor at the rate of N1,058,000,000 Naira only. The government won’t pay any money until the project reaches 20 per cent stage. And after then, we will pay them monthly for a whole year until the work is fully completed.
“Now, if you compare this new contract, which we are re-awarding, with that of 2017, the difference is close to about N40million, which our government has actually saved. Since 2017, close to four years, this little thing is the work they have done.
“I want to assure you all that, on my honor, I am standing before you today to say that, with the steps we have taken, we will pass on this bridge within the next six months.”
