FG Flags Off N216.6bn Osun Road Projects, Seeks Support for APC Candidate

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday flagged off the construction of the 82-kilometre Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road and the reconstruction of the Gbongan-Osogbo Road, declaring that the projects would boost economic activities, improve connectivity and restore confidence in public infrastructure.

The President, who was represented by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, performed the ceremony in Osogbo, saying the projects formed part of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at transforming Nigeria’s road infrastructure.

Tinubu said the two road projects, valued at over N216.6 billion, were designed to improve road safety, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and stimulate socio-economic development across Osun and Oyo states.

According to him, the 82-kilometre Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road, awarded at the cost of N114.85 billion to Peculiar Concerns Limited, will be completed within 24 months using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology to ensure durability.

He added that the reconstruction of the 44-kilometre dual carriageway between Gbongan and Osogbo, awarded to Trucrete Solutions Limited at N101.81 billion, would also be completed within 24 months and upgraded with rigid concrete pavement.

The President said the projects were approved by the Federal Executive Council to ease the hardship experienced by motorists, improve transportation and enhance the economic fortunes of communities along the corridors.

Tinubu disclosed that the roads would be equipped with modern infrastructure, including solar-powered street lights, adequate drainage systems, CCTV surveillance cameras, lay-bys, landscaping and reinforced concrete pavement to guarantee safety and longevity.

He directed the contractors to mobilise immediately to their project sites, warning that delays in execution would not be tolerated, while assuring Nigerians that his administration would enforce strict quality standards, transparency and value for money.

The President also highlighted ongoing federal road projects across the country, including the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Road, Ilesa-Akure-Owo-Benin Highway, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and the Trans-Sahara Trade Route, saying significant progress had been recorded on the projects.

He urged the contractors to regard themselves as development partners by engaging and training young Nigerians during the execution of the projects to build local capacity for future national development.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, commended President Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented investments in road infrastructure across the federation, saying the administration had demonstrated genuine commitment to national development through massive road construction.

Umahi also appealed to the people of Osun State to support the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, in the forthcoming governorship election, expressing confidence that the party would consolidate the Federal Government’s developmental efforts in the state.

The flag-off ceremony attracted government officials, traditional rulers, political leaders and residents from Osun and Oyo states, who witnessed the commencement of what the Federal Government described as strategic projects expected to transform transportation and economic activities in the region.