“Investment in infrastructure is a long term requirement for growth and a long term factor that will make growth sustainable” — Chanda Kochhar
Sequel to the above corollary, it is right to posit that excellent infrastructure is the fulcrum and chief driver of socioeconomic development which every polity seeks to achieve. Specifically, massive investment in road construction is the artery through which the economy pulses, as it plays a composite role by facilitating a number of developments in other sectors as well as opening a state for potential investors.
Prior to his emergence as the governor of the state, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola promised that Infrastructural renewal would be a focal point of his administration, because it remains the critical area through which economic development of a state can be better accelerated.
In a bid to fulfill his promises to the good people of Osun state, upon assumption into office, Governor Oyetola swung into action by continuing the funding of some projects initiated by the past administration such as the dualization of Gbongan-Akoda dual carriage way as well as Old Garage (Osogbo)-Ikirun-Ila Odo-Erin Ile, which together, are Federal Roads spanning a total length of 66.8km.
As part of his efforts to bring unbeatable development to the state and to make live better for the masses, Governor Oyetola has over the last three years in office, been investing massively in the state infrastructure, especially roads through reconstruction and rehabilitation of road networks in the state such as Ede-Ara-Ejigbo, Ada-Igbajo, Kelebe-Iragbiji, Moro-Ipetumodun-Akilalu, Modakeke/Famia, Akoda-Oke Gada Ede, Alekuwodo/Akinlade.
For the purpose of infrastructural widespread across the state, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola moved further on his Infrastructural revolution stride by constructing/rehabilitating more roads including, Moro-Yakoyo-Ipetumodu-Asipa-Ife/Ibadan express way, Ido -Osun township, Gbongan township, Ile- Ife township, Kuta township, Gof-Orioke pure water, Osogbo; Hallelujah Estate, Osogbo; Inisha township, Ila Oragun, Ikirun township, Ikirun-Eko Ende, Gbongan township, access road to Fountain University Osogbo, Ejigbo township; and Junction road and Erika roundabout-Ereguru-Isare-Oke Oye-Sabo (Irojo)-Ilesa/Akure Express Way Junction, to mention few among several others.
In addition to the numerous achievements in infrastructure, Governor Oyetola has perfected the plans to further commit his administration to the construction and rehabilitation of some strategic roads across some areas in the state such as Iree, Inisha, Ife, Ijesa Land, Osogbo, Olorunda, Orolu, Ikire, Oba Ile and Oba Oke.
To reduce the hardship and difficulties being experienced by the motorist as a result of traffic jam around Olaiya junction in Osogbo, Mr. Governor has completed the Construction of an iconic flyover bridge in which was flagged off in February, 2021, with a view to significantly eradicating traffic hassles and make lives of the citizens more secured.
The significant impacts made in infrastructural development in over three years of Oyetola-led administration had recieved great commendations from well-meaning stakeholders in the state who saw infrastructure as basic essential services that should be put in place to enable socioeconomic development.
Speaking on the Infrastructural development in the state, Osun commercial drivers under the aegis of Road Transport Employers of Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) said that the massive construction of roads under Oyetola led administration has relieved them of unnecessary expenses on maintenance of vehicles.
They opined that “Oyetola has sincerely delivered in the road infrastructure which is directly affecting us in a positive way as most roads are motorable bringing about reduction in the cost of maintaining our vehicles while Osun Rural Access and Mobility Project (O’RAMP) has flooded most towns and villages with good road networks giving us unhindered access to the rural areas.
Oyetola’s Landmark Achievements, Magical- Olu Aina
An elder statesman in the state of Osun, Professor Olu Aina while assessing general governance in the state, described the giant strides recorded in infrastructure by Oyetola’s administration as magical
“His performance in the infrastructure sector such as road construction should be commended while it is directly aligning to the initial plan at the creation of the state as there was a desire for good road networks among the communities in the state. If he has the opportunity of eight year, our dream will come to reality,” Aina noted.
Osun monarchs commend Oyetola over infrastructural spread
The monarchs in Ede Federal Constituency of Osun State have commended the State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola for spreading infrastructural development across the state.
The Ogiyan of Ejigbo, Oba Omowonuola Oyesosin and Timi of Ede Oba Minirudeen Adesola Lawal made the commendation when Governor Oyetola was inaugurating 20km rehabilitated Ejigbo- Ara-Ojo- Ede road and flag off of 3.8km Ejigbo township road, Oba Omowonuola described the governor’s infrastructural intervention as non-discriminatory.
“I have never seen a Governor like you. You have done well for us. You have fixed one of the roads giving us a headache. This road had become a death trap before your intervention. During the raining season, some portions of the road looked like fish ponds,” Ogiyan said.
Also, Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, thanked Oyetola for all he has been doing in the State and especially for strengthening the fortune of the town.
Timi said, “The entirety of Ede has sent me to thank you for this great favour that we have received from you. We wish you peace in your government, strength and good health to govern us in continuum because we desire to see more good works.
“Once a government is performing and spreading the dividends of democracy, there is no point to contemplate changing such a government”, he stated.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues at the first edition of their monthly meeting in the year 2022, the Chairman of Osun State Traditional Council of Obas, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi showered encomiums on Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for the numerous achievements he has recorded so far in office, while declaring their support for his administration beyond 2022.
“On his intention to run for second term, we have prayed for him dutifully. Don’t forget we are not politicians, we are royal fathers, but we like his style. We like what he is doing because he is a man of very few words; yet he is putting in a very outstanding performance that we all can see. He carries us along with his plans on what he wants to do.
“Like I said earlier, many of his colleagues that I have the opportunity to be closer to do ask how our governor is doing it in view of the available resources and socioeconomic reality in the state, but for us, he is more of actions than words. We will continue to support him,” the Ooni said.
No doubt, Oyetola has placed premium over infrastructural development in the state and his decision to have earmarked the largest chunk of 2022 budget for capital expenditure lays credence on his political will to improve the state infrastructure for socioeconomic growth and plenary wellbeing of the people.
