SOJI AJIBOLA, IBADAN
…expresses displeasure at slow pace of work
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has given assurance on the completion of the 32-kilometre First Phase of Ibadan Circular Road, before the end of his tenure on May 28, 2023.
The governor, who stated this during a tour of the project, said that his administration had to sack the contractor inherited from the previous administration due to unsatisfactory slow pace of work.
According to him, the contractor will be unable to deliver the road in another 20 years if allowed to continue at such slow pace.
The governor, however, promised to pay the sacked contractor for evaluated work done.
As at the time the governor made the on-the-spot assessment, only two kilometres of the 32-kilometre road had been tarred at the level of wearing cost by ENL Consortium Construction company.
Makinde said, “We have terminated the initial arrangement. This is the road that we think will change the economy of Oyo State substantially but the previous contractor, if we had continue with their pace, maybe they may finish in another 20 years.”
Makinde noted that the government had been asking the contractor to do joint valuation because his administration did not want to destroy anyone’s business, adding that government would ensure that the contractor is reimbursed when the evaluation is completed.
He added, “Now, we are asking them to do joint valuation because we are not here to destroy anyone’s business. Of course, money has been spent and we have to ensure that whatever has been put into to this, we will reimburse the previous contractor.
“So, we have an appreciation of what we need to do to ensure that this kicks off almost immediately and then it can meet our target.”
He added that his administration would make sure that the road is completed and delivered within his tenure, adding that the road will be concessioned but government will have some involvement in it.
The governor said, “This 32km portion must be delivered within this first tenure of this administration. We are still going to concession it, because the previous administration left it 100 per cent to the concessionaire, which we thought was a mistake.
“We definitely will have some form of involvement of the Oyo State Government with a new concessionaire. We will take certain percentage for Oyo State Government and, that way, the government is carried along every step of the way”
While speaking on the Old Ife/Airport/Sawmill Road, the governor said the contractor had just revised his schedule and that the job would be completed in October 2021.
He declared that his government would continually inspect and push contractors hard on infrastructure projects.
He said, “They (the contractors) just revised their schedule and that job should be completed and delivered by October of this year. So, we will stay on their back and ensure it is delivered as scheduled.”