DESPITE TORRENTIAL RAINFALL, DWINDLING RESOURCES, GOV AKEREDOLU CONSTRUCTS MORE ROADS IN ONDO
•We Are Lucky To Have Gov Akeredolu-Engr. Aminu
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, has continued to consolidate on his administration’s infrastructural development despite the torrential downpour and dwindling resources.
This is even as the asphalt overlay of about 4km Ireakari Phase 2 road network in Akure, the State capital, has begun.
The Commissioner for infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Raimi Aminu, while inspecting the project on Tuesday said the Governor Akeredolu administration will continue to do its best to deliver good governance and bring its dividend to the doorstep of the citizenry despite the dwindling resources available to the State.
Engr. Aminu particularly appreciated Governor Akeredolu for his unwavering commitment to good governance in the state.
He explained that the government was able to continue with its road projects despite the heavy downpour due to proper planning.
He said:”In construction, it is not everytime that rain disturbs. It boils down to proper planning. If you plan very well when the rain is much, fixing your hydraulic structures- line drains, culverts and others. When the rain subsides, when you have fair weather, you can do your earth works or pavement.
“So, due to proper planning you can see what we are doing now. We have very good contractors in Ondo state and they are all doing well.”
He added that the road had earlier been primed before the asphalt overlay began on Monday.
“Sometimes ago, Mr Governor flagged off this project and promised the people in this area and the citizens at large that all the projects he embarked upon will be delivered by God’s grace. That is part of what we are seeing now.
“Talking about the financial aspect, throughout the world we know that there is financial crisis, not only in Nigeria. But we are lucky in Ondo state to have someone like Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, as our Governor at this time.
“Most states now, even in our neighbouring states, you will see that most of their contractors are not working at the moment because of the hike in prices of construction materials.
“Most of the contractors working for us now are working based on the good relationship and our integrity. That is why I give kudos to Mr Governor. We thank him for providing leadership.
“No money anywhere now. In the past we know how much we receive from Abuja, we know the position of our IGR. But with Mr Governor’s integrity and style of administration, the IGR has increased from N600m to about N2bn. Part of it we use to augment salary when we receive allocation from Abuja and part of it we use to pay our contractors and do other projects.
“So, we should thank God and thank Mr Governor for what he has been doing. Before this administration came on board, the complain we normally received in the ministry was that government was not working, government was not constructing roads, no good road network. But now, this has changed. Most requests we are receiving in the ministry is that, we know government is working but I want it to get to my doorstep.
“And government has been trying its best. This is Ireakari Phase 2. We have completed Phase 1. And I can tell you categorical that none of government appointees is living here; no Commissioner, no Special Adviser. Permanent Secretaries, top Directors are not living here.
“You know in the past, you must know high ranking person or have good connection before you can benefit from government. But Mr Governor has said it several times that whether you know Mr Governor or the commissioner or not, he will do what he is supposed to do.
“The Governor has been giving our poeple dividends of good governance. This is what you are seeing. You can see the residents here are very happy because they have not witnessed something like this since inception of the state.”Aminu noted.
He also said other ongoing projects including the 9km Oke-Odu/Ipinsa/Ilara and Orita Obele/Oke-Odu and several others will not stop as government is fully committed to their quick completion.
The residents of the densely populated community who could not hide their joy, took their time to appreciate the state government for remembering them in time of need.
The residents including Mr Oluwabunmi Titus and Sunday Adedeji, explained that in the past 10 years, the poeple have not witnessed such a project in the area.
