The Oyo State Government has issued a directive to the contractor responsible for the 48-kilometer Ido-Eruwa road project, urging them to accelerate their work. The aim is to improve the movement of goods and people who use the road.
Professor Dahud Kehinde Sangodoyin, the Commissioner for Works and Transport, made the call during an inspection of the road’s construction progress on Friday. He explained that Governor Seyi Makinde awarded the project to connect all the zones in the state. The contractor has already been mobilized and work began approximately one and a half months ago.
Professor Sangodoyin highlighted that Governor Makinde initiated the linking of all the zones during his first term and has been diligently working to complete them. So far, the Oyo-Ibadan, Oyo-Ogbomoso, Oyo-Oke-Ogun, Oke-Ogun-Ibadan, Oke-Ogun-Ogbomoso, and Ibarapa-Ibadan roads have been successfully linked.
The Commissioner emphasized the benefits of connecting all the zones, including easier transportation of agricultural produce from remote farms to markets across the state. Additionally, it will enhance security and safety for residents and their properties.
During the inspection, Professor Sangodoyin observed that a palliative path had been created to facilitate regular traffic flow. He also noted that significant progress had been made on drainage construction. The contractor has completed approximately 2 kilometers of line drain and several culverts on the Ido end of the road. Work has also commenced on line drain and earthworks at the Eruwa end.
To expedite the project, the Commissioner reached an agreement with the contractor to focus on the Eruwa end of the road. They will begin constructing a line drain on that section, covering 500 meters on both sides of the drainage system, starting tomorrow. Following this, asphalt will be laid over a distance of 2.5 kilometers, which is expected to be completed by the end of September.
Professor Sangodoyin urged motorists and residents of Eruwa and Ibadan to remain patient, assuring them that work on the road will continue until it is finished, especially as the dry season approaches.
The Project Manager of HFP Engineering Limited, Engineer Vincent Okafor, supported the Commissioner’s assurance of timely completion. He confirmed that they had agreed to the directive and would double their production efforts to meet the promised timeline.