Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has flagged off the construction of flyover bridge in Ile-Ife.
At the official flag-off ceremony on Tuesday in the ancient town, Governor Adeleke said the project was 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).
He added that the state government complied with due process and procurement law, saying that the completion period is twelve months.
The governor also flagged off the construction of Local Government roads totalling 55.86km at the cost of N30,677,814,099.42, adding that, “this is also to have a completion period of twelve months.”
“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,” he said.
Speaking on the Ile-Ife flyover bridge project, Adeleke said, “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.”
Earlier in his remarks, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi implored residents to join hands together with the Osun State Government over the project.
Ooni Ogunwusi urged Government Adeleke not o delay or abandon the flyover project, saying, “This is the economic hub of Ile-Ife. We have banks and all manners of businesses here. All the residents of neighbouring communities including Gbongan and many more towns do come to Lagere for trading. People do come from Modakeke to trade here.
“When the governor proposed this project I was very happy. Ile-Ife is the origin, despite that the governor is from Ede, he remembered his ancestral home. I want to plead with the governor to remember Mayfair Road.”
“I want to plead with the governor not to deceive us with the flag off but please help us to complete this project. Don’t just come here to cut the ribbon but please complete this overhead bridge you unveil today.
“Also, help us to rehabilitate bad roads in Ile-Ife and expand them if need be. Please don’t neglect us and we will continue to pray for you.”
Also, the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Idowu Bello, explained that the flyover will take off at Lagere and land at Iremo road with dualized carriageway.
He noted that the flyover is design to be a 10-Span bridge with retailing walls at the approaches, adding that the existing structure on ground will be given a facelift to reflect the cradle of Yoruba race when completed.
He said, “Within the 17 months of this Administration, Mr. Governor has completed the rehabilitation of 10Km length of roads spread across lle-Ife and another 5Km Local Government roads will be flagged off today.”