Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has passionately highlighted the availability of adequate and efficient infrastructural set-up as a catalyst to improve the quality of life of the people with the capacity to promote rapid industrialisation, which for him is critical for fostering socio-economic growth and improving the living standards of the citizenry.
Weighing into the state’s infrastructure gap which has adversely affected the state’s growth trajectory, Mr Governor maintained that infrastructural development wholly plays a pivotal role in reducing poverty and contributing to environmental sustainability.
On the strength of the above narrative, the governor on Friday, October 27, 2023, in Osogbo metropolis unveiled a life-impacting plan to build infrastructure worth N100 billion for the state.
The infrastructure is set to cover 45 major roads, 345 healthcare centres, five flyover bridges, statewide portable water provision and a street lighting network among others.
The governor stated that having a solid infrastructure base in all sectors of the economy would help catalyse growth and development in the state.
He further disclosed that the imperative of bridging the state’s infrastructure deficit necessitated his current urgency and commitment in this regard.
“I have used the last 11 months to address the over 90 per cent infrastructure deficit our administration inherited.
“But more still needs to be done, hence the ambitious plan to launch this infrastructure plan that covers roads, health, water, and schools among others.
“By investing so much in infrastructure upgrades, we are laying the foundation for effective public-private partnership,” the governor said.
Whilst reacting to how the projects will be funded, Governor Adeleke said the infrastructure plan would be sponsored entirely by the state without procuring loans from any financial institution.
He added that his plan entailed complying with all procurement laws and due process while also ensuring that the local content part of the implementation was adequately satisfied.
According to him: “Very importantly, our administration is ensuring localisation in the implementation process. Local content in terms of sourcing materials and workforce is key to transferring skills and economically empowering our people.
“This is in line with the five-point agenda of our administration which seeks to boost the local economy. High local content is married with a strong maintenance plan to ensure the sustainability of the infrastructure.”
Governor Adeleke stressed that his administration would hit the ground running after the unveiling and promised that 95% of the projects would be executed through local content to curb capital flight.
Some of the arterial roads of high capacity pencilled down by this administration for rehabilitation are the Otan Ayegbaju-Iresi Road and Ede-Egbedi to Erin Osun Road. It has also targeted water projects across all 332 wards of the state which is ongoing.
It will also be conducting a geophysical survey across the political wards. Likewise, borehole drilling is also taking place in all the selected areas of each ward as well as installation and supply of head tanks.
In the area of health, the Imole Medical and Surgical outreach will now be held quarterly, in six of the state hospitals under the coordination and supervision of the Osun State Ministry of Health.
For education, Mr Governor marked for reconstruction, Ede Muslim Grammar School in Ede (Ede Zone), Ifeoluwa C&S Grammar School Ilesha (Ilesha Zone), Oranmiyan Memorial Grammar School Ile-Ife (Ife Zone), NUD Grammar school Oke Bailey, Osogbo (Osogbo Zone), Baptist Grammar School Bowen road Iwo (Iwo Zone) and College High school, Ila Ikirun (Zone 7).
His Excellency is also set to carry out dualisation of the following roads; Old Garage Oke Fla LAMECO roundabout, Osogbo, Skoda junction Baptist High school Ede, Baptist High school Oke Gaza, Ede, Oke Gada Ido Osun-Ofatedo road, Ilesha/Akure-Brewery-Palce-Ilesha. Also set for rehabilitation are Otan Ayegbaju-Iresi Road and Ede-Egbedi-Erin Osun Road.
Besides the Osun government is also constructing a 1.5km length of roads across 30 local government and one area office. Similarly, Governor Adeleke is equally constructing the Oke Fia roundabout, Osogbo, construction flyover, underground tunnel at the stadium roundabout Osogbo, construction of flyover at May Fair roundabout, Ile-Ife, construct of flyover at Owode Market, Ede. These interventions are also extended across the Osun River, Ede and Erinle Rivers in Ede.
Additionally, this novel intervention will no doubt enlighten the wider business community on the importance of sound corporate governance practices, leadership and management within the public and private sectors (and even within the non-for-profit space) as a step towards ensuring the implementation of major reforms regarding infrastructure which Governor Adeleke is now being known for, and has earned him the name ‘Performing Governor’.
- Adedigba, a real estate consultant, resides in Osogbo, Osun State
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