Ondo Assembly, Infrastructure Ministry Pledges Stronger Synergy for Development
By Awodeyi Elizabeth
Members of the Ondo State House of Assembly Committee on Works and Infrastructure have called for more robust and inclusive infrastructural development in the state, especially in critical sectors such as health, education, and rural access roads.
The lawmakers made the call during an oversight visit to the Ministry of Infrastructure, Lands and Housing in Akure, where they were received by the Commissioner, Engr. Ayorinde Abiola Olawoye.
Led by the Deputy Speaker of the House and Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon. Ololade Gbegudu,the Lawmakers applauded the Commissioner’s presentation and commended the Ministry’s technical depth.
They however, charged the Ministry not to limit its scope to roads alone but to extend its focus to schools, hospitals, and other public facilities whose infrastructures are in a deplorable state.
“We understand that your ministry is massive and critical to the legacy of this administration. But it is important to also pay attention to the drainage systems during construction,lt should be wide enough.Blocked drainages cause flooding”.
Lawmakers including the Majority Leader and vice chairman of the Committee, Chief Olatunji Oshati,Dr Christopher Ogunlana, Primate Oluwatoyin Allen and,Chris Ayebusiwa took turns to commend the Commissioner and other management for their dedication and called for greater synergy between the Ministry and the Assembly.
Members of the committee specifically appealed for the inclusion of the abandoned road project, stressing its importance to community peace and development. The lawmakers also advised that adequate safety measures be put in place at deep excavation sites to prevent accidents.
The Majority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly and Vice Chairman of the Committee, Chief Olatunji Oshati, who represents Ose Constituency, made a passionate appeal for the inclusion of the long-abandoned Oba–Idoani Road in the ministry’s ongoing infrastructure plans. He stressed the economic and social importance of the road to his constituents and surrounding communities.
In response, the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Ayorinde Abiola Olawoye, acknowledged the concern and explained that the delay in intervention was due to the procedural complexities involved in terminating the existing contract on the road. However, he assured that the Ministry will shift focus to the Afo – Idoani road, which would serve as a viable succor/ relief pending the resolution of the reactivation of the Oba–Afo phase 1 project.
Olawoye, in his welcome address, gave a comprehensive breakdown of the ministry’s ongoing major projects across the state. He said the ministry consists of several technical departments including Civil, Planning, Quality Control, and the Chief Resident Engineer (CRE), which supervises all new projects.
Highlighting three key dualisation projects, the Commissioner noted that work is progressing on the 10-kilometre Idanre Road, the 37.2-kilometre Okitipupa–Igbokoda road, and the 6.2-kilometre Akungba axis road .These projects, he said, include features such as walkways, median strips, solar street lights, traffic control systems, and complex hydraulic structures.
He described the Akungba project as an “iconic project” due to its challenging terrain involving deep rock excavation of up to 18 metres in some areas. He commended the State Government for approving such an ambitious project, describing it as transformative for the region.
The commissioner noted that apart from roads infrastructure, the Ministry is also focusing on giving a facelift to MDAs, school buildings ,health facilities among others.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Engr. Akin Omotola, in his closing remarks, thanked the committee for the visit and pledged that the ministry would continue to work in line with the state’s development blueprint.
He expressed optimism that the visit would mark a new phase of collaboration between the legislature and the ministry, ultimately leading to a more developed Ondo State.
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