Oyo State House of Assembly has summoned the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, FERMA, in the state to appear before it next week Thursday, 24th October, to brief the House on efforts being made at reconstructing the Ibadan-Iseyin and Oyo-Iseyin roads which has caused hardship for motorists. 

The summon followed an appeal by the lawmaker representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency, Mr Dele Adeola brought under matter of urgent public importance. 

Mr Adeola, who called the attention of the House to the ongoing indefinite strike by transporters plying the road because of its bad state, disclosed that the road is a federal road which had been constructed since 1948 and begging for attention, to ease movement of farm produce. 

Reacting, Minority Leader of the House, Mr Asimiyu Alarapa, who informed the House of the sensitivity of the Oyo-Iseyin and Ibadan-Iseyin roads, said it had become impassable, urging the House to write FERMA in Oyo State.

Also member representing Oyo East and West, Mr Kazeem Isiaka appealed to the Federal Government to include the reconstruction of the Ibadan-Oyo-Iseyin road in the 2020 budget. 

Mosope Kehinde

The Oyo State Road Transport Management Agency, OYRTMA, has announced the immediate deployment of its officers to some critical areas of the state, especially within Ibadan metropolis to control and maintain free flow of vehicular movement in the night.

This is contained in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun.

The head of the agency, Dr. Akin Fagbemi explained that the decision was premised on the effect of movement of people from neighboring Lagos, Ogun and Osun states to the state capital, Ibadan where commercial activities and security of lives and properties have experienced growth.

Dr Fagbemi said OYRTMA as a responsive agency of government would ensure orderliness and enforce compliance to the state traffic and safety rules and regulations. 

“The conducive environment created for both business and residential purposes by the present administration, under governor Seyi Makinde has triggered an exodus of thousands of people and vehicles from our neighboring States of Lagos, Ogun and Osun, this has significantly added to the over 1.5million vehicles plying the available roads in the State thus forcing immense pressure on traffic flow to extend to late nights in certain parts of the State particularly in Ibadan, the State Capital.

“Additionally, based on popular demand of citizens of the state to have our men and officers at certain strategic locations, management has approved with immediate effect, deployment of OYRTMA operatives to man various strategic spots at night in a bid to ensuring free flow of traffic across Oyo State.”

The agency had recently impounded over 50 trailers that parked indiscriminately around the Iwo-Road axis of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway as they were said to be constituting disturbance to commercial activities in the area as well as causing traffic hold-up on the busy road. 

Iyabo Adebisi

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has again reiterated his commitment to upgrade Ibadan Airport, Alakia to facilitate cargo operations and international flights. 

The governor said he was already in talks with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on the matter.

 He stated this while addressing people at a civic reception in his honour at his ancestral village, Ajia, in Ona Ara Local Government area of the state.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, states that agro-allied services would benefit heavily from the impending upgrade of the Airport thereby boosting the economy of the state.

Governor Makinde promised to reward the people who trusted him with votes with unprecedented development across the state.

The governor at the event organised by the Ajia and its Environs Descendant Union, declared that he would not disappoint the people of the state or break the trust that the people reposed in him by delivering good governance to the state and developing its nooks and crannies.

He admonished the youths in Ajia and across the state to take their education seriously by making judicious use of the free education policy of his administration so as to become useful and productive to themselves and the society.

“I have begun discussion with the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and they have given us certain conditions on the upgrade of our airport so that it can accommodate bigger aircrafts. When that is done, those travelling from Osun, Ekiti and Ondo will not need to get to Lagos before boarding flights and what that tells you is that Ajia and other rural communities around the airport as well as the economy of Oyo State, will soon witness a new dawn”, he added.

Earlier, former Head of Service in the State, Pa. Theophilus Akinyele urged Governor Makinde to continue to place premium on the welfare of people as he had been doing as a private citizen.

In a welcome address Chairman, Ajia and Its Environs Descendants Union, Engineer Amos Fakayode, commended Makinde for making Ajia and Oyo State proud through his achievements within the first 100 days in the office.

Iyabo Adebisi

Nigerians have recommended public-private partnership for better management of the highways as the government proposed reintroduction of toll gate Federal highways.

 Olorunferanmi Odofin, who spoke with residents in Akure the Ondo State on the proposal files in this report.

The Report.

Three young persons early this morning lost their lives in a fatal auto crash on Oyemekun Road in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Radio Nigeria gathered that the car carrying the boys from a night club rammed into a stationary truck as a result of over speeding.

Three of the five occupants of the car died on the spot while the remaining two who are in critical condition, were rushed to a nearby hospital by other road users and officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

Confirming the incident to newsmen in Akure, the State Sector Commander of the Corps, Mr Rotimi Adeleye, said that the accident happened between 4:30 a.m. and 5:00 a.m today.

Mr Adeleye, who noted that five people were involved in the accident, disclosed that FRSC operatives had deposited the corpses of those who died at the morgue of the state specialist hospital in Akure.

The FRSC Commander, who admonished parents to watch over their children to avoid sudden death, said that those involved were in the age bracket of twenty.

Leke Adegbite

Lawmakers in Ondo State have charged members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW to be cautious this period of “ember” months.

Members of the Ondo State House of Assembly committee on Public Utilities and Transport led by its chairman, Mr Kuti Towase gave the charge while on a familiarization visit to the leadership of the union in Akure.

The committee chairman, Mr Towase while commending the union members for their peaceful conduct in recent times, noted that the ember months should not be made terrible by the need to make more money at the detriment of other road users.

Mr Towase urged the union leadership to always carry the House along in their dealings.

Earlier, state chairman of NURTW, Comrade Jacob Adebo popularly called Idajo promised to sustain the existing peace within the union and in the state in the interest of the people.

Comrade Adebo noted that the union had departed from the old ways of doing things and resorted to prayers, empowerment of members and discipline.

He appealed to commuters to always patronize motor parks rather than road sides to avoid unforeseen circumstances.

Olumide Abudu

NAHCON Denies Plane Crash in Niger

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) says there is no truth in some media reports that a Max Air aircraft carrying about 600 Niger State pilgrims from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria crash-landed at Minna International Airport yesterday.

The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Abdullahi Muktar made the clarification in a telephone interview in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

He explained that as soon as the story filtered into the public domain, the commission conducted its findings into the purported development by getting in touch with the management of the airline concerned and interviewed some passengers that boarded the said plane.

Alhaji Abdullahi said the result of the findings showed that there was no such thing as emergency landing or crash landing of any plane in Minna involving pilgrims being transported back to Nigeria by the commission.

He explained that some of the passengers spoken with said they heard the purported news for the first time and that there was no such development as far as they were concerned.

The management of Max Air, which also denied the report, however, said in a statement that there was torrential rain with the unstable wind when the plane was landing at the airport with the instrument landing system at the airport epileptic with unreliable signals.

The statement adds that there was a slight brush of the engine due to the complex landing manoeuvres, occasioned by the strong downdraft, stressing that the aircraft did not crash or skid off.

Some dailies had earlier reported that the plane conveying about 600 pilgrim’s crash-landed at the Minna International Airport.

Meanwhile, the command and control centre of NAHCON says the commission had so far airlifted about forty thousand pilgrims back home in 81 flights and the airlift operation is expected to be completed in the next few days.

Abubakar Bestu

 The Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer, Vehicle Inspection Office, VIO, in Delta State, Mr. Ezon-ebi Oyakemeagbegha, has identified lack of patience by road users during in the later parts of the year as a challenge to safety on the roads in the period also known as the ember-months.

 Mr. Ezon-ebi Oyakemeagbegha speaking in an interview with correspondent Oghenero Eghweree in Asaba, noted that as part of measures to address the problem, the VIO in the state have set up a computerized inspection center for proper inspection of vehicles to ascertain their road worthiness.

The Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer while speaking on the mandate of the agency to prevent loss of lives and properties on the roads, appealed to road users to keep their vehicles in good shape before embarking on journeys.

Mr. Oyakemeagbegha pointed out that regular maintenance was something unavoidable for all vehicle owners.

Oghenero Eghweree

A loaded granite truck ran over an officer of the Nigerian Army in Abeokuta, Ogun State. 

The presumed dead soldier, in uniform was evacuated from the scene by military officers who stormed the area causing panic among residents and passers – by around Iyana Mortuary area of the state capital. 

Witnesses told Radio Nigeria that the deceased soldier was a passenger whose motorcycle stopped at the red lights before the truck marked JJJ 833 XW lost control and ran over the bike.

Spokesman of Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, TRACE, Mr Babatunde who attributed the crash to excessive speed, said the truck driver swerved off its lane to the opposite direction due to brake failure and loss of control.

Mr Akinbiyi pointed out that colleagues of the deceased from 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, later took his remains to the General Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta while the truck driver was taken into custody at the Divisional Police Station, Kemta, Idi-Aba.

The Public Relations Officer of the state traffic agency advised road users, especially drivers of articulated vehicles to carry out regular maintenance of their vehicles and review their mental and physical well-being before proceeding on any journey.

Oluremi Olugbenro

Media and other stakeholders have been urged to sensitize the public, especially motorists on the need to observe road signs to reduce cases of accidents on the highway.

Chief Medical Officer, University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan Professor Jesse Otegbayo stated this at the inauguration of zebra crossing projects by the Nigerian Association of Women Journalist, NAWOJ, Oyo State Chapter at the hospital’s main entrance.

Professor Otegbayo believed that if people were adequately informed about road signs and adhere to them, accidents would be greatly reduced.

Chairperson, NAWOJ, Oyo State, Mrs Jadesola Ajibola noted that the zebra crossing project at UCH main entrance was done due to the busy nature of the road to prevent accidents, which were common there.

Deputy Corps Commander Operations, Oyo State Sector Command, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC Mr Olalekan Morakinyo said the rule was that motorists should stop a meter away from zebra crossing marks whenever pedestrians stepped on it and they should avoid overtaking on the marks.

A representative of National Orientation Agency, NOA, Mr Adekanbi Aderogba said sensitization had been on going with FRSC to educate the public on the need for proper road usage, especially as the ember months approach.

Lilian Ibomor

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu says Ondo State Government will continue to provide social amenities for residents.

He stated this at the flag off of eight kilometers Oda dual-carriageway in Akure, the state capital.

Mr Akeredolu maintained that government owed it a responsibility to address infrastructure deficit, pointing out that the residents and motorists had suffered a lot of discomfort while plying the road.

The governor, who said the road would have walkways on both sides and street light, added that the other deplorable roads in the state would not be left unattended to.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Saka Yusuf and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Land, Works and Infrastructure, Mr Raimi Aminu attributed the proposed construction of the eight kilometers Oda road to series of letters and complaints from motorists and residents in the area.

The Déjì of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladelusi and the Chief Imam of Akure, Alhaji Abdulhakeem Yayi-Akorede, expressed gratitude to the state government, noting that Oda road that was usually characterised by potholes and hold-up, especially during the sallah celebration would witness free flow of traffic when constructed.

Olorunferanmi Odofin

Ogun State government has announced plans to strengthen healthcare services by repositioning government hospitals in the state in line with acceptable global standards.

The state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun gave the assurance during an assessment tour of the State Hospital, Ilaro accompanied by the Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle and other top government officials.

Governor Abiodun who decried the state of facilities in the state hospital Ilaro, said a team would be constituted to work on modalities for enhancing effective healthcare delivery at the hospital.

The permanent secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Heath, Dr. Nofiu Aigoro who took the Governor’s entourage round the facilities urged the state government to employ more medical consultants in the hospital.

In a remark, the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle also implored the government to adequately equip the hospital for better service delivery.

Meanwhile, Ogun State State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has ordered the immediate closure of the Adigbe Opako road in Obafemi Owode Local Government area of the state, to enable government start work on the road.

Governor Abiodun made this known while inspecting Opako Bridge which collapsed few weeks ago, due to incessant flooding in the area.

The Governor who said the state government would provide relief materials to the affected residents, said relevant agencies were taking steps towards finding lasting solution to the problem.

While inspecting some roads in Owode Yewa, Governor Abiodun said the state government would construct Owode road to alleviate the suffering of residents.

The Governor who also visited an uncompleted modern school in Ilaro explained that some of the modern schools across the state would be used as vocational and skills acquisition centers.

In a reaction, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Kayode Ademolake explained that the state government would provide alternative routes for the road users in Opako area.

Mr. Ademolake also said that the state government would ensure speedy reconstruction of Opako Bridge to alleviate the suffering of the residents of the area.

Bolanle Adesida

Oyo State Governor-Elect, Engineer Seyi Makinde has promised to unleash the full force of the law on any member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW or any other group planning to disrupt the peace of the state before, during or after the swearing-in ceremony.

In a statement by his Spokesman, Prince Dotun Oyelade, the governor elect said he did not have a favoured group .

Engineer Makinde said no one was above the law, noting that he had discussed with the Commissioner of Police to deal decisively on any troublemaker.

He assured all citizens including market women to go about their lawful duties as the new administration would protect everybody without fear or favour.

PR/Iyabo Adebisi

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has promised to make the airport under construction in Wasimi, in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the state his first constituency project upon assumption of the ninth assembly.

The governor, who stated this during an inspection of projects in Abeokuta, said  he would ensure that the money budgeted for the project was judiciously utilised.

Governor Amosun reaffirmed his administration’s determination to ensure the completion of projects under construction across the state.

The Ogun helmsman noted that the contractors would be put on their toes to ensure that projects meet the completion time frame for President Muhammadu Buhari’s inauguration.

He gave the assurance that Adatan, Adigbe roads as well as fly over bridges locate in Kuto and Elega areas would be completed before the visit of the President in May.