For many years, commuters, traders, farmers and residents who rely on the Ilesa–Ife–Ibadan Road have endured the hardship of travelling on a corridor that had gradually deteriorated into a shadow of its former self. Today, however, there is renewed hope and appreciation across Osun State, particularly in ifeland, Ijesaland and communities along the corridor, following the approval by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for the full reconstruction of the road.
The Ilesa–Ife–Ibadan Road, first dualised about three decades ago, is widely regarded as the second busiest highway in the South-West after the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. For years, it has served as a vital link connecting Osun, Oyo,Ondo and several other parts of the country.
The pressure on the road increased significantly when the Ogbomosho–Ilorin–Abuja route became badly damaged and largely impassable. Traffic that would normally pass through that corridor was diverted to the Ilesa–Ife–Ibadan Road, accelerating its deterioration and leaving road users to contend with worsening conditions.
Several palliative works were carried out over the years, but the damage had gone far beyond temporary repairs. Even the effort made during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to resuscitate the road yielded limited results.
Sometime in 2024, I joined concerned leaders from Ijesaland to approached the former Governor of Osun State and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Execellency Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, to help bring the condition of the road to the attention of Mr President. The Minister assured us that he would personally engage President Tinubu on the matter.
That assurance was publicly reiterated during the installation ceremony of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, early last year. Representing the President at the event, Oyetola conveyed the President’s commitment to the reconstruction of the Ilesa–Ife–Ibadan Road and assured the gathering that the Federal Government would fund the project.
Since then, leaders and stakeholders from ifeland and Ijesaland maintained regular engagement with the Minister Oyetola, who continued to update us on progress and reassurance to ensure that the re-award of the project materialised.
Today, to the glory of God Almighty, that commitment has become a reality with the President’s approval of the reconstruction. Credits must also be given to the Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi for his special interest in the road. It takes a focused leader to prioritize such a project out of many projects across the country jostling for the attention of the Federal Government.
The scale of the project is remarkable which will now be concert pavement . With an estimated cost of about ₦427 billion, the reconstruction will cover 103 kilometres of dual carriageway---translating to 206 kilometres of qroadway---with particular attention given to sections that have completely collapsed and are beyond rehabilitation. The goal is to improve safety and restore the road as a major economic corridor in the region.
We the people of ifeland and Ijesaland are also encouraged that the project has been re-awarded to a very competent and reputable contractors with the technical capacity to deliver a concert road of global standard. This is particularly significant when compared with the unfortunate situation often seen in Osun State under the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke where multi-billion-naira road projects are sometimes awarded to fertilizer distributors, cyber cafe operators and cronies or companies without the necessary expertise.
Beyond the great engineering work, the reconstruction will breathe life back into economic activities along the corridor. Businesses that once thrived around the road are expected to rebound. One example is the famous Akara-Osu (delicious beans cake popularized in Osu town, Atakumosa West ) , a long-standing stopover for travellers which had suffered decline as the road deteriorated. I am personally making contacts with the relevant authorities to ensure the akara sellers in Osu are reintegrated into the road designs so their business can come back to life and thrive.
The road also spans through largely two senatorial districts in Osun State, and its rehabilitation will have far-reaching economic benefits. For travellers heading toward northern Nigeria, especially Abuja, the corridor will once again become a preferred and reliable route.
For a largely agrarian state like Osun, improved road infrastructure is crucial. Farmers will find it easier to move their produce from rural communities to urban markets, reducing transportation stress and post-harvest losses while improving incomes and productivity.
In a recent conversation I had with the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), he, following his meeting with Mr President, also hinted that another major Federal Government project is being facilitated for the state. According to him, the initiative is part of the broader efforts of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to ensure Osun benefits meaningfully not only from employment and empowerment opportunities, but from the infrastructure development agenda of President Tinubu.
The reconstruction of the Ilesa–Ife–Ibadan Road and the continued support for institutions like the University of Ilesa reflect President Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure development and educational advancement across the country.
Even though the state government of Osun has remained ungrateful and most often arrogate to itself some of the federal government achievements in the state, for the people of Osun State, these interventions are not taken for granted. They represent progress, renewed opportunity, and a clear demonstration that the Federal Government is attentive to the needs of the people.
For this, the people of Osun remain sincerely grateful.
Engr Oluremi Omowaiye, former Commissioner for Works and Transport in Osun State, is Executive Director (Projects Implementation), Federal Housing Authority, Abuja.
.png)
No comments:
Post a Comment