President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has flagged off the construction of the 82-kilometre Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road and the reconstruction of the 44-kilometre Gbongan-Osogbo Road in Osun State, with the two projects valued at more than ₦216.6 billion.
The flag-off ceremony was held in Osogbo on Thursday, with Tinubu represented by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. The event was attended by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Minister of Works Dave Umahi, the Osun State All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and other dignitaries.
Tinubu said the projects represented a firm commitment by his administration to improving road infrastructure, connecting communities, opening up economic opportunities and restoring public confidence in government infrastructure.
He stressed that the Federal Government would insist on quality, transparency and value for money, urging the contractors and engineers to execute the projects with excellence and speed.
According to the President, every naira spent must count, milestones must be achieved as scheduled and communities along the routes must feel the benefits of the projects.
Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road
The Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road, which is approximately 82 kilometres long, has been in a poor condition for years. It begins at the Dele Yes-Sir Roundabout in Osogbo and passes through agricultural areas in Osun and Oyo states.
The road provides one of the shortest routes between Osogbo and Ibadan and connects major towns and communities including Osogbo, Ara, Awo, Ede, Telemu, Iwo, Laagun and Ibadan.
The Federal Government awarded the project to Messrs Peculiar Concerns Limited at a contract sum of ₦114,854,477,607.93, with a completion period of 24 months. The road is to be constructed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement technology, designed to provide durability and withstand heavy traffic.
Gbongan-Osogbo Road
Tinubu also flagged off the reconstruction of the Gbongan-Osogbo Road, described as approximately 44 kilometres in length in each direction, making about 88 kilometres of dual carriageway.
The road begins at the Old Garage Roundabout in Osogbo and passes through major towns and communities including Owode-Ede, Akoda-Ede, Sekona, Oogi and Odeomu before terminating at Gbongan on the Ife-Ibadan Expressway.
The route is strategically important as the Ife-Ibadan Expressway connects Osogbo with other major destinations, including Ikirun, Offa and Ilorin in Kwara State.
The project involves upgrading a failed single carriageway section of about 20 kilometres into a dual carriageway constructed with rigid pavement. It will also include the reconstruction, on rigid pavement, of the approximately 15.55-kilometre section between Osogbo and the Akoda-Ede junction and the 8.6-kilometre section towards Gbongan, both of which had previously been dualised but were said to be in very poor condition.
The reconstruction contract was awarded to Messrs Trucrete Solutions Limited for ₦101,806,515,825.09, with a 24-month completion period.
The scope of work on the projects includes site clearance, earthworks, removal of unsuitable materials, provision of boulder materials for subsoil drainage and fresh river sand, as well as the provision of wet crushed rock and stone base materials on the carriageways and shoulders, among other works.
Tinubu said the projects, which were approved by the Federal Executive Council, were designed to reduce the difficulties faced by road users and improve the economic fortunes of communities along the corridors.
He noted that the projects would enhance connectivity, improve road safety and stimulate socio-economic activities, particularly by enabling farmers to move agricultural produce more easily and allowing children to travel to school more safely.
Other Federal Road Projects
The President also highlighted other major road projects being undertaken by his administration across the country.
He said rehabilitation work on the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Road by Messrs CBC Global was progressing, while the long-awaited dualisation of the Ilesa-Akure-Owo-Benin Road, being handled by Messrs Hitech Construction Company Limited with rigid pavement technology, was also at different stages of completion.
Tinubu further gave updates on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, saying Section 1 in Lagos had been substantially completed, Section 2 in Ogun State had reached 80 per cent completion, Sections 3A and 3B covering Akwa Ibom and Cross River had reached 20 per cent, while Sections 4A and 4B in Akwa Ibom had reached five per cent. He added that Section 5 had recently been awarded and construction was ongoing, while he had directed that additional sections be designed and procured.
On the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the President said Section 1 in Sokoto had reached 40 per cent completion, Section 2 in Kebbi was at 60 per cent, Section 3 in Ogun had reached 18 per cent, while Section 4 in Oyo State, which was recently awarded, was progressing.
He said he had directed accelerated work on other sections of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
Tinubu also spoke about the Trans-Sahara trade route, stretching from Calabar through Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa to Abuja. He said Section 1 in Ebonyi had reached 15 per cent completion, Section 2 in Benue was undergoing mobilisation, while engineering designs were ongoing for other sections.
At the ceremony, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, called on the electorate to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 and said other presidential candidates should not visit his palace for campaigns except the incumbent.
Governor Okpebholo and Works Minister Umahi also urged voters in Osun State to support the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the August 15 governorship election, describing such support as a way of appreciating President Tinubu.
Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, similarly urged the people to massively support Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO.
