Ogun launches model highway, begins work on 18 roads

OGUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday in Abeokuta launched an international standard six-lane Ibara/Ita-Eko/Sokori/TotoroThe governor disclosed that the 2.4 kilometre road would serve as a model of the highways that would dot the nooks and crannies of the state in the months to come.Amosun, who said his administration inherited appalling road network that inhibited commerce, wealth creation and development, explainedthat the new road met'Ogun State Standard' and was done in compliance with international standard while the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) acted as adjudicator.'The road is having such facilities as open drainage and covered drain, walkway for pedestrians and space for planting of trees and flowers to enhance the beauty of the environment', the governor said.He recalled thatbefore work began on the highway, structures that could inhibit the project were demolished and owners of the property adequately compensated.He told the residents that a pedestrian bridge of world standard would soon be constructed to further ensure their safety and a flyover would be built at Ibara roundabout so that vehicles to and from Ita-Eko/Sokori/Totoro would have nothing to do under the bridge, thereby reducing congestion and accidents.Amosun disclosed that the four-lane 32km Sango-Ijoko-Agbado-Oke Aro-Akute-Ojodu Abiodun road had been awarded to Messrs Prado E. Meedo of Brazil and that bids for other 18 strategic roads had opened.The roads include Somorin-Ajebo, 5.6km (4-lane); Ikangba-Obalende-Lagos Garage-Oke Owa-Ilese, 20km (4-lane); Ilara-Ijowun-Eggua-Oja Odan-Ilase, 60km (2-lane); and Sagamu/Benin Expressway Junction-Remo Secondary School roundabout-Isale Oko-Akarigbo street-Sabo-Oba Erinwole junction, 7km (4-lane).He commended the efforts of former governor, Olusegun Osoba, in the area of road construction during his tenure.Speaking earlier at the ceremony, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Olamilekan Adegbite, said the Amosun-led administration was committed to transforming the landscape of Ogun through excellent road network so as to accelerate the pace of its socio-economic development.Highlights of the commissioning ceremony included goodwill messages from top politicians and traditional rulers from the state and a ride on the road in some of the new transport buses purchased by the state government to ease intra and inter-state movement.The contract for Ibara/Ita-Eko/Sokori/Totoro road was awarded on August 9, 2011, to Messrs China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
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