Residents of Ondo State have been urged by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to work with the government to preserve the state’s roads and other infrastructure.
During the inspection of the continuing asphalt installation of Aule Road in Akure, the state capital, Aiyedatiwa emphasised that the public should keep an eye on how the local roads are being used.
In the Aule village, Ayoade Babalola, his special assistant to the governor on works and infrastructure, urged the people to make sure that no one nails a canopy on the road for a ceremony.
The special adviser, who was accompanied by the administrative secretary of the ministry, Akin Omotola and other senior officers of the ministry, also warned that in case of any protest, youths should avoid bonfires on the road.
He warned tanker drivers to also guide against dripping of diesel from heavy-duty vehicles on the road, saying this usually destroys the asphalt.
In order to minimise flooding, he also cautioned the locals against building on the watercourse, stating that the government would tear down any structures that were in the way.
However, he gave the state’s citizens the assurance that all existing township projects would be completed with sincerity, stating that the current administration is making every effort to expedite the building process.
“I want to appreciate our governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa for fulfilling his promises to complete all inherited projects by his administration.
“This is the manifestation of that particular promise. All other roads and the flyover would be completed as well. We are here on the spot assessment and he has done a good job.
“We want to make an appeal so that you can discuss this with your co-landlords that you need to maintain this road. The maintenance of this road is very critical. Diesel and petrol are enemies of asphalt.
“You should ensure the people of this area partner with the government in the maintenance of this road. Within the next four days, the contractor would get through with the road.
“It is needful to appeal to all road users, the okada riders, motorists and pedestrians to be very careful of their speed.
“Now that they see a new road, they may begin to speed as if they are travelling to Lagos keeping about 120 km/hour. 80km/hour speed on this road is reckless driving.
“We appeal to our people to check their speed and apply break as appropriate. I would like to add that people burning tyres during protests are also damaging the road.”
He enumerated the state’s ongoing projects, which include building certain township roads in the Akure North/South L. G. A., Ondo State’s Igoba/Igele/Ifesowapo/Ajipowo Axes.
“The rehabilitation/asphalt overlay of selected roads in Akure, Ondo State, Group A in which Aule Road falls into” was another item on his list.
When the Special Adviser visited Igoba Road in Akure to evaluate the contractor’s level of work, he gave the residents the assurance that, given the rate of work, the road’s earthwork and drainage would be finished as soon as possible.
He consequently urged the state’s citizens to exercise patience with the administration, promising to finish all current road projects as well as those recently proposed and authorised by Governor Aiyedatiwa.
Engineer Olawoye Abiola, Managing Director of Elementary Construction Company, the construction firm in charge of the Aule and Igoba Roads, promised that the Aule Road’s asphalt laying will be finished in the next four days.
Additionally, he promised that the Igoba road will be finished and turned over to the state government within the following three months.