*flags off 91km Ibadan-Iwo-Osogbo Road
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Governor Seyi Makinde on Thursday, hinted that himself and Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State have started a revolution of promoting collaboration, integration and good governance in the South-West.
The governor dropped this hint while speaking at Ido Osun, Osun State, during the flag-off of the reconstruction and selective expansion of the 91 kilometres Osogbo (Dele Yes Sir Roundabout)-Iwo-Ibadan-Iwo Road Interchange.
According to him, the two governors have been able to lead a revolution and collaboration that puts the people of the two states first, relegates politics and partisanship to the background, while delivering dividends of good governance to the people.
He stressed that his government chose to explore the opportunities of collaboration at the outset of the administration, saying, the fruits of the state’s collaboration with sister-states includes the establishment of the Amotekun Corps, the sole ownership of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology and now the reconstruction of the Ibadan-Iwo-Osogbo Road.
“Today, I am joining His Excellency, Gboyega Oyetola and together, we are again making history. This time, as jointly agreed, we will be linking our dear states with a road project. And so, another milestone of collaboration is reached with this flagging off of the asphaltic reconstruction, rehabilitation and expansion of the Osogbo-Ibadan-Iwo Road”, he said.
The governor added, “I mentioned earlier that in Oyo State, we are leading a revolution. We are saying politics should be left to those few months when INEC says we should begin campaigning either for elections or re-election. Even then, we must practise politics of justice and fairness without bitterness and rancour.”
“The revolution we are leading in Oyo State is a revolution of thought. Again, we are saying, governance must always trump politics. When we make decisions, we must always put the interests of our people first. Of course, you already know that my brother, the Governor of Osun State is from the All Progressives Congress (APC), while I belong to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Despite this difference, we have accomplished things that people from the same party were unable to do. This is the revolution we are talking about.”
Speaking further, Gov Makinde said, ” this latest collaboration also comes with dividends of good governance. When this road is completed, our people will be able to travel with more ease between the states, thereby enhancing trade and commerce. And as we say in Oyo State, where roads go, development follows. So, in the next year or so, we will begin to see the development in real terms.”
Commending Governor Oyetola, for acceding to Oyo State’s request to solely own LAUTECH, which according to him, helped him [Makinde] to fulfill one of his campaign promises to the people of Oyo State.
He added that a similar collaboration with the Governor of Ogun State, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, in the area of security, has helped to drastically reduce incidents of kidnapping between the Ogun-Oyo axis.
Governor Adegboyega Oyetola while speaking, lauded Gov Makinde for rising above political differences and considerations to collaborate with the Osun State Government to ensure that the laudable project comes to fruition and to further entrench regional integration, saying, “the project is a dream come true, as it is part of his government’s effort “to provide quality roads on an equitable basis and entrench sustainable economic development.”
“I salute the political sagacity and astuteness of the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, who rose above all political differences and considerations to collaborate with us to not only ensure that this laudable project comes to fruition, but to further entrench regional integration” he said.
Gov Oyetola added, ” when the project was initially conceptualised, our plan was to fix the Osogbo-Iwo section that belongs to Osun. We, however, on a second thought observed that the Oyo State section too was in a very bad shape and capable of defeating the objective of our road Reconstruction / Rehabilitation effort.”
The project, which is to be completed in 18 months, was awarded to Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concerns.
