Gov. Charles Soludo of Anambra, on Friday, joined his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde, to flag off the construction of a 32.2-km circular road infrastructure in Ibadan.
Soludo also inaugurated three junction improvement projects at Agodi-Gate, Civic Centre and Idi Ape, all in Ibadan metropolis.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 32.2km road is the South-East segment of the 110-km circular road, designed to encircle Ibadan, the state capital.
NAN also reports that the road, named after a former governor of the state, Sen. Rashidi Ladoja, is aimed at easing flow of traffic within the city.
Soludo, in his remarks, urged Nigerians to play their parts in making the country one of the powerful nations on earth.
This, he said, could be achieved by each individual getting involved in life-changing and transformative development of the country for the generations to come.
“It has pleased God to make Nigeria the greatest and largest black nation on earth, and we have to learn from each other and support each other to move it forward,” he said.
Soludo, a former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), commended Makinde for deeming it fit to construct for a project like the circular road, saying it would fast-track economic and infrastructural development of the state.
“I’m here to thank you and encourage you. Politicians think about next elections but statemen think about next generations.
“What we are witnessing today, the flag-off of this circular road and the junctions improvement inauguration, were good projects, particularly, this circular road project, is a project for the future,” Soludo said.
Also speaking, the host governor, Makinde, said that the project was targetted at enhancing the economic development of the state, when completed.
“This is not time to focus on things that divide us. Rather, we should be interested in things that will unite us and things that will be used for further development.
“It is also time to think sustainably. This project is a product of thinking sustainably because about 20 years ago, past leaders dreamt of it but our administration is actualising the dream by taking action that will secure the future.
“This is a project that will make a better future for us in Ibadan land and Oyo State in general,” he said.
The governor said that the 34km North-East wing of the circular road would be awarded for clearing in the next few weeks.
He said the wing would lead to Moniya where Ibadan dry port and Ibadan train station are situated.
Makinde further stated that 60 per cent of the contract sum had been paid to the two construction companies handling the projects.
The Commissioner for Public Works, Prof Daud Sangodoyin, in his address, said the first section of the road, starting from Lagos end to Jagun village, totalling 15.5km, was contracted to Craneburge Construction Company .
Sangodoyin also said the remaining 16.7 kilometers, from Jagun village to Ife road junction, was contracted to Kopek Construction Company.
He said the both contractors had 18 months to complete the project. (NAN)
