*Commissions Junction Improvements, Parks At Felele, Challenge
As part of activities marking the second year anniversary of Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration in Oyo State Governor, the governor on Saturday commissioned Junction Improvements Works and Car Park at Challenge and Felele in Ibadan, the state capital.
Governor Makinde, during the commissioning revealed that his administration is being driven by the data, science and logic particularly when it has to do with award and execution of contracts.
He disclosed that before they (his cabinet) could arrive at a certain decision they must have done research work (survey) on what modality to adopt to ensure that it is centred on live improvement.
The governor said that the project is just one of the several ways that his administration is keeping its promise to the people of the state.Makinde said he is on the verge of re-engineering modern Oyo State, saying those who said they are the architects of modern Oyo State only did less than 40km road for eight years they spent in office.
“To affect the majority of citizens, people in power must use state funds to make life easier for the citizens and this is what we have been doing. This junction improvement here in Challenge and Felele is just one of the several ways that our administration is keeping its promise to the people of Oyo State.
“Before now, we have had people endure traffic at this junction for 20-30 minutes and even more because the road was narrower and then we had transporters taking up a whole lane. Before I became the governor, the condition of this junction was terrible. I was thinking we should construct a flyover here to link up with that of Molete but as we always do, our decisions are driven by data, science and logic. So, we carried out a study and carried out this with the fund we had.
“When we say time is money, we can then quantify what 30 minutes of lateness to a project everyday can cost in real terms. So, with this improvement, we did not just have traffic lights installed to ease the traffic flow, but we have built a park for vehicles and motorbikes to transit and ease movement along this junction. Transporters and visitors can park their vehicles without hindering traffic. The road has been expanded, creating even more space for vehicular movement. We also have three modern bus stops constructed for commuters.
“For some people living in some other parts of the country, they may think 30 minutes of traffic is not so much, but here in Oyo State, our slogan is that we will only make things better, and what we cannot make better we will not make worse. And since our administration came into office, we have been doing our best to improve the lives of the people of Oyo State. The results are there for all to see. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics keeps showing that we are doing the right things here in Oyo State.
“Come next year, we are sure that it will be even better than this year. By the end of this year, the road from Challenge through Akala Way that links Odo- Ona would have been completed, and those going to Apata won’t need to use this road again,” Makinde stated.
In his remarks, Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Professor Dahud Sangodoyin noted that the successful completion of the Junction Improvement has opened up critical development in the state.
He added that the project will foster economic well-being of the people, as well as upgrading the standard of citizens and residents of the state.
“The project was approved in 2020 to Messrs Planet at the cost of N2.5bn. Today, we are happy to come around to commission this edifice.
“The major features of the junction improvement include art works, construction of reinforced concrete drain. The components also include traffic system management, taxi stand and motorcycle stand.
“The successful completion of the junction improvement has opened up on critical development of the local government area here, which is Ibadan South West. Of course, it also has a chain effect on other areas in Ibadan. It will also serve as a beautification of Ibadan township.
“It will foster economic well-being of the people, ease of doing business, as well as upgrading the standard of citizens and residents of the state,” the Commissioner said.
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