By Eric Elezuo

The governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has officially flagged off the construction of the flyover bridge at Lagere Junction, in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The flag off marks the commencement of the construction work in fulfillment of the governor’s promise of massive infrastructural development of the state.

In his speech at the event, Adeleke noted that “the project location was justified on the ground of easing traffic, facilitating connectivity and attracting adjacent economic activities.”

He adde that “Ile Ife deserves not only an infra upgrade but a classical upliftment to enhance the tourism capital of this divine town. This is what our government is launching today. We are on a match to greater height for Ile Ife and Osun State as a whole.”

Also present at the flag off ceremony was the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

The full full speech:

I warmly welcome the sons and daughters of Ile Ife, the cradle of the Yoruba race, to this epoch making event. I congratulate His Royal Majesty, the Ooni of Ife for having this landmark project under his watch.

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.

We were at Ilesa last week to flag off road dualisation. Today we are here to bring to reality the construction of a flyover bridge. This iconic bridge, the first of its kind in this land of the source.

The project location was justified on the ground of easing traffic, facilitating connectivity and attracting adjacent economic activities. Ile Ife deserves not only an infra upgrade but a classical upliftment to enhance the tourism capital of this divine town. This is what our government is launching today. We are on a match to greater height for Ile Ife and Osun State as a whole.

I want to use this platform to assure elders, sons and daughters of Ile Ife that our government is committed to solving the many developmental issues facing this city. We are applying phased project implementation strategies due to the huge infra deficit with attendant low funding capacity. We however assure all and sundry that our strategy will eventually fulfill the yearnings and aspirations of all our people.
Even with funding constraints, our government has delivered on various fronts for the Ife area. Kindly permit me to list areas of our achievements and plans for the future across the five local government area of Osun state as follows:
IFE EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT
1 Asphaltic Tarring of Oriyangi- Oke Atan – Ogbedu Road
2 Tarring of Ife City – Benediction to Olasode
3 Renovation of Yekemi Maternity
4 Renovation of 3 Buildings of a Block of 3 Classrooms at LA Primary School Ilode
PROPOSED
1 Asphaltic Tarring of Olurin Road _1.5km(Ife East and Ife Ooye)
2 Renovation of Ifelodun Maternity

IFE NORTH LGA

1. Provision of seven boreholes across the LGA
2. Renovation of schools across the lGA
3. Commencement of three road construction across the LGA
IFE SOUTH WEST LCDA
1. Proposed renovation of garage olode Health center,
2. Proposed renovation of one block of class room in united Anglican primary school garage olode,
3. Proposed renovation of one class room in ara Alubati in Osi ward in ife south west LCDA awolowo town garage olode ife
IFE NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT
1. Renovation of 5 blocks of classroom at L.A.pry. school, Ipetumodu
2. Provision of 4 motorized water borehole
3. Approval for the construction of 1.5 km Akinlalu township road.
IFE NORTH AREA COUNCIL, OYERE ABORISADE
6 Motorized borehole at :
1. Molodo, Oyere Ward 1
2. Okuomo Famia Ward
3. Atowo, Oyere Ward 2
4. Fadehan, Oyere Ward 2
5. Isanlu, Oyere Ward 2
6. Womonle, Oyere Ward 2

IFE NORTH WEST LCDA EDUNABON
1. Renovation of 3 blocks of 3 classrooms each at C A C pry. School Edunabon
2. Renovation of 4 blocks of 3 classrooms each at L.A pry. School, Edunabon
3. Provision of 3 motorized borehole at Edunabon and Moro
Area Office, Modakeke
1.Rehabilitation of schools
2.Rehabilitation of health centre
3. Ongoing reconstruction of local road

Our good people of Ile Ife and Osun as a whole, we are here for two in one event. We are flagging off the flyover bridge at Lagere Junction as well as the commencement of 55 kilometers of roads across the 30 local governments and the area office.

After compliance with the due process and procurement laws, 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). The completion period is Twelve Months.
Additionally, I flag off the construction of Local Government Roads totalling 55.86km at the cost of N30,677,814,099.42. This is also to have a completion period of twelve months.

I urge the various contractors and the host communities to partner closely for the successful execution of the projects. Community relations must never be downplayed.

On this note, it is my honour and privilege to flag off these landmark projects.

HE, Governor Ademola Adeleke,
Executive Governor of Osun State .