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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, has revealed that ENL Consortium, the former contractor that handling the Idi- Ape-Basorun-Akobo-Ojurin-Odogbo Barracks junction road is owing the state the sum of N250 million.
Makinde made the revelation during the commissioning of the 7.252km road, on Thursday.
According to the governor, his administration did a re-evalution of the road that was awarded by the administration of late Governor Abiola Ajimobi in 2017.
“After I became governor-elect, I was coming from Kolapo one day and I saw the contractor, ENL, they were working even at 1am in the morning.One night, I stopped and said what is so special about this road that even at night you were laying asphalt, they said they wanted to finish on time. Even this bridge that is part of that project was not touched. I thought something must be going on.
“After we took over, I found out what was going on. The Ministry of Works brought to me a valuation and said we are supposed to pay the contractor I think about N400 million. I called Engr. Lagunju, I said help me confirm this valuation, so he brought professionals, they did t and they came back with the verdict that the contractor is owing us N700 million. I called the ministry, I said how do we reconcile this valuation and they started telling me grammar that they want to harmonise it at the end of the project …project I want to terminate. So, I terminated the project and re-awarded it to two contractors so that we can finish on time and up till today, they are still owing us N250 milion…Oyo State money and I will collect it back from them,” the governor said.
Makinde said road construction directly contributes to economic development, adding that the level of economic activities on Idi- Ape-Basorun-Akobo-Ojurin-Odogbo Barracks junction road is increasing.
The governor also said something is already being done about the inner city roads across the state, saying the plan is to ensure all local government areas in the state get their roads fixed.
“We– FG, state and local government– have to collaborate to deliver dividends of democracy to our people,” Makinde added.
Speaking, the special guest at the event and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, said leaders must be able to rise above themselves, no matter how difficult, in order to serve the overall interest of the people.
Fayemi, who is the chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), commended both the Ajimobi administration that started the road and Makinde for not abandoning the project, saying: “It is to the credit of both governments that people will enjoy this road.”
“As NGF chairman My primary duty is to protect, defend, promote the interest of all the 36 state governors in Nigeria regardless of their party affiliation and we have governors from all sides.
“For me this is a duty beyond party. It is a recognition of what we promised our people and the pledges we made when we were elected into office; to serve the people that elected us without hinderance and I know that this road will be plied by members of the APC, PDP and those who do not belong to any party
“If what we are about is the development of our people, we can disagree withour being disagreeable. We can still hold our principles as proud members of APC and PDP and any other party to which we may belong but once elextions are over and it is time for governance, we must all rally round those who have been saddled with that responsibility via the ballot,” Fayemi said.
Giving a brief technical report on the road, the Commissioner of Works and Public Transportation, Prof Daud Sangodoyin, said the entire project area is fully developed with no vegetation on both sides of the road.
“The two sides is divided by a 1.3m wide median. Thus, the total width of the road way from drain to drain is 23.7m.Laying of kerbs to walkways and medians; pavement markings and provision of road signs; removal and carting away of unsuitable materials from roadway; provision of 4 no-250mm diameter service ducts at junctions and designated points.
“The bridge is 64m long with two-lanes and 4No spans. Clearing and excavation for the foundations of the substructures; casting of abutments, piers, cross girder/beams, installation of elastometric bearing the bridge deck, walkway with service ducts, approach slabs, return wah and retaining walls; sinking of 600mm diameter piles,” he said.
Dignitaries at the event include the deputy governor of the state, Barr. Bayo Lawal; PDP governorship candidate in Lagos State, Jide Adediran; state functionaries, party chieftains, royal fathers among others.