Politics

Public benefit should always override political interests – Gov. Fayemi

By Web News 527

The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi has called for a system of proportional representation that would allow both electoral losers and winners to collaborate and form government in the interest of the people.

He stated this while speaking as the special guest of honour at the inauguration ceremony of the 7.2km Idi-Ape-Bashorun-Akobo-Odogbo Barracks road dualization project and flyover at General Gas, Ibadan executed by the Oyo State government.

In a keynote, Dr Kayode Fayemi affirmed that beyond politics, concerns should be geared to social-economic development for the benefit of the public maintaining that the system of winner-takes-it-all would not advance the nation’s development. 

Governor Fayemi also advocated for a system of government that would tolerate proportional representation between electoral losers and winners in forming a government of unity with a particular focus on deepening the nation’s democracy.

  • From left, Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; wife of former governor of Oyo State, Mrs Mutiat Ladoja and deputy governor of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal during commissioning of 7.2km Idi-Ape-bashorun-Akobo Barracks junction road dualization project and General Gas Flyover bridge in Ibadan. PHOTO: Oyo Gov’s Media Unit.
  • Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde (second right); his Ekiti counterpart, Dr Kayode Fayemi (second left); wife of former governor of Oyo State, Mrs Mutiat Ladoja (right); Okere of Saki, Oba Kalid Olabisi (left) and others during commissioning of 7.2km Idi-Ape-bashorun-Akobo Barracks junction road dualization project and General Gas Flyover bridge in Ibadan. PHOTO: Oyo Gov’s Media Unit.

The chairman of NGF commended Governor Seyi Makinde for his purposeful leadership.

In his address, Governor Seyi Makinde acknowledged that the project was a promise kept and would improve economic activities within the axis.

Governor Makinde said attention would also be given to deplorable inner city roads at rehabilitating roads within the council areas. 

Earlier, the Oyo State Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Professor Daud Sangodoyin highlighted some major features of the road and noted that the project was completed through the Alternative Project Funding approach.

The contract for the road project was awarded by the past government but was terminated for failure to meet duration amongst other reasons and was re-awarded by Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.

Iyabo Adebisi

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Environment

Oyo Govt Debunks Rumoured Destruction of Contractor’s Equipment

By Web News 553

Oyo State Commissioner for Public Works, Professor Daud Sangodoyin, says the allegations that state government is planning to destroy the equipment of a road contractor formerly handling the Ibadan circular road, ENL Consortium Limited is false.

He made the clarifications while briefing newsmen on the situation of things in respect of controversy trailing the construction of 32 kilometres Circular Road in Ibadan.

In a statement, the chairman of ENL Consortium, Prince Adesuyi Haastrup, had alleged that his company had uncovered plans by some elements to destroy its equipment on site pointing out that the state government was behind the move.

Dismissing the allegation, the commissioner explained that the state government was trying to open the other end of the circular road for the benefit of the citizens.

“So, I don’t know who gave them false information that we wanted to destroy their property,” he said.

On allegation that the state government didn’t obey the court order stopping work on the project, he said the state government had filed counter-affidavit against the order issued by an Abuja High Court restraining Craneburg Construction Company Ltd from working on the road project.

“It is true that ENL Consortium served notices to our lawyers and we went to court.

“But, on July 25, the state Ministry of Justice wrote us, based on the advice of the State Counsel that our contractor can go back to site, since we have filed counter-affidavit on the injunction.

“The authority cited by the state Ministry of Justice and our counsel stipulates that we can actually advise our contractor to start work.”

The commissioner said that the project awarded to the new contractor was a separate contract of bridges and interchanges on the stretch of the road after the termination of ENL Consortium contract.

According to him, the bridges and interchanges project on the road was not part of the initial contract, which the previous administration awarded to ENL Consortium.

Professor Sangodoyin recalled that the immediate past administration awarded the 32-kilometre East end wing of the 107 kilometres Ibadan Circular Road to ENL Consortium in 2017.

“But, it could only complete two kilometres out of 32 kilometres after the expiration of the duration agreed upon.

“Gov. Seyi Makinde encouraged the contractor to work on, so that perhaps, it would be able to finish the project.

“But up till 2020, the contractor did nothing and the contract was terminated due to the fact that the contractor didn’t fulfill the condition of the contract,” he said.

Sangodoyin said that the new contractor would soon open the Lagos end of the road project “to enable it to start work on interchange one and Bridges Two and Three.

ENL Consortium Ltd., was the construction company initially handling the project under the administration of the late Abiola Ajimobi in 2017 till 2020.

Makinde re-awarded the contract to Craneburg Company following which ENL Consortium approached the Federal High Court, Abuja, to seek redress over what it claimed to be breach of the concession agreement.

Justice Enobie Obanor of the Abuja High Court then granted the reliefs sought by ENL Consortium, issuing a restraining order against Craneburg Construction Company, the Oyo State Government and three others- Fadi Khalil, Mohammed Abdul and the state Attorney-General.

Iyabo Adebisi

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Transportation

We will name Ibadan Airport Road after Omololu Olunloyo – Gov. Makinde

By Web News 1959

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has pledged to name the proposed dualized Ibadan Airport Road and other adjourning routes after a former governor of Oyo State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo upon completion. 

He disclosed this at the flag-off ceremony of the 3.2 kilometres Ibadan Airport Road, some adjourning access routes around the environs and rehabilitation of Oludare to Bishop Philip in Iwo Road, Oyo State capital. 

From right, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; General Manager, Kopek Construction Limited, Mr A Issan; Former Governor of Oyo State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo and former Minister of Power and Steel, Elder Wole Oyelese during the flag-off of Ibadan Airport Road held at Alakia, Ibadan. PHOTO: Oyo State Government.

Governor Makinde explained that the project would complement the effort of the state government in repositioning the Ibadan Airport for the economic benefit of the state, adding that the desire of the state government was to ensure regular flight activities in the airport allowing easy entry and exit for investors.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Professor Daud Sangodoyin said the road project would not only ease mobility around the axis but improve economic activities, noting that the project would include some of the service links around the Iwo Road Bus Terminal.

In a goodwill message, former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Omololu Olunloyo said the effort of Governor Seyi Makinde in repositioning the state deserved commendation.

Iyabo Adebisi

Environment

Oyo Government Upgrades Work on Iseyin-Fashola-Oyo Road Project

By Web News 761

Oyo State government has approved an additional scope of work on the 34.85 kilometres Iseyin-Fashola-Oyo Road Project to include extra width, stone base and thickness of 12.5 metres federal government road specification.

Oyo State Commissioner for Public Works and Transport, Professor Daud Sangodoyin disclosed this while briefing newsmen shortly after an executive council meeting.

Professor Sangodoyin explained that the additional scope of work would cost the government 1.5 billion naira making the entire project 9.9 billion naira. 

Professor Sangodoyin said the road which has Trunk A status had since received a positive nod from the federal government, stressing that the road when completed would ease movement and connect people to the Fashola Farm agricultural hub along the route.

Also, the Commissioner for Energy and Solid Mineral, Seun Ashamu disclosed that the state executive council has approved the overhauling of electrical infrastructure at the state secretariat, government house and other state government adjoining facilities.

Mr. Ashamu noted that there would be about 14 kilometres of underground cable laying, change of some transformers and other technical works as most of the electrical facilities have been in place for over 30 years.

The commissioner added that the project estimated at 710 million naira would be executed in 6 months.

Mr. Ashamu explained further that the project would be executed through direct labor.

Iyabo Adebisi

Education

Exit Exams: Measures in place to ensure students perform well – Oyo Govt.

By Web News 655

As students in Oyo State prepare for series of examinations earlier postponed this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the state government has pledged not to relent in its efforts towards ensuring that students perform well in the exams

Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Professor Daud Sangodoyin stated this while speaking with Radio Nigeria

Professor Sangodoyin, who was the former Commissioner for Education explained that aside the provision of free books for students, extra classes had also been arranged to equip them for the exams.

Some students who spoke with Radio Nigeria said they had been studying at home in order to come out in flying colour in the forthcoming exams.

Rotimi Famakin

Politics

Makinde Rejigs Cabinet, Swaps 2 Commissioners between Ministries

By Web News 863

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle, which affected two ministries.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary, CPS, to the Governor, Taiwo Adisa, confirms the swapping of the portfolios of Commissioners for Education and Establishments.

The statement notes that the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Professor Daud Sangodoyin has been moved from the Ministry of Establishment and Training, while his counterpart in the Ministry of Establishment and Training, Olasunkanmi Olaleye Moves in the opposite direction.

The statement also indicates that the change takes immediate effect.

The two commissioners were part of the 14 in the first batch of commissioners inaugurated by Governor Makinde on 15 August 2019.

Iyabo Adebisi