Osun Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on Tuesday, flagged off N14.9bn construction of Lagere iconic flyover in Ile-Ife that will be completed within a period of twelve months.
Senator Adeleke further flagged off the construction of Local Government Roads totalling 55.86km at the cost of N30,677,814,099.42 which he said, will also be completed over a period of twelve months.
The governor disclosed; “The flyover bridge is awarded to Messrs Sammya Nigeria limited at a total project cost of Fourteen Billion, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million, Seven Hundred and Seventy One (N14,938,924,771.45).”
Adeleke who stated that the projects were awarded after due process to Sammya Nigeria Limited, appealed to the contractors and the host communities to partner closely for successful execution of the projects.
He said he embarked on the project to address the challenges of the deep level of infra deficit across the five local Governments in Ile-Ife by applying a big-view approach.
According to him, “Ile Ife is the source of the Yoruba race. I understand the deep level of infra deficit across the five local governments. Consequently, we decided as a government to address the challenges by applying a big view approach”.
“The infra deficit covers roads, health, water and schools. In the multi-billion naira agenda, we earmarked specific projects for this ancient city. Many are ongoing and more are still coming.”
“The flyover bridge is the first of its kind and the project location was justified on the ground of easing traffic, facilitating connectivity and attracting adjacent economic activities,“ he stressed.
In his own submission at the event, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi appreciated the governor for the projects and said, “When the governor proposed this project I was very happy. Ile-Ife is the origin, despite that the governor is from Ede, he remembered his ancestral home. I want to plead with the governor to remember Mayfair Road.”
“I want to plead with the governor not to deceive us with the flag-off but please help us to complete this project. Don’t just come here to cut the ribbon but please complete this overhead bridge you unveil today. “
“Also, help us to rehabilitate bad roads in Ile-Ife and expand them if need be. Please don’t neglect us and we will continue to pray for you.”
He however described the location of the flyover as the economic hub of Ile-Ife that housed banks and all manners of businesses saying, many residents of neighbouring communities including Gbongan, Modakeke, and many more towns do come to Lagere for trading.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr Idowu Bello said, the flyover is designed to be a 10-span bridge with retailing walls at the approaches affirming that, the existing structure on ground will be given a facelift to reflect the cradle of Yoruba race when completed.
He however hinted that the flyover will take off at Lagere and land at Iremo Road with dualised carriageway.
The permanent secretary however revealed that, within the 17 months of Governor Adeleke’s Administration, he has completed the rehabilitation of 10km length of roads spread across lle-Ife and another 5km of Local Government roads will be flagged off today.”
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