A traditional ruler in Osun State, Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, on Wednesday, paid an on-the-spot assessment visit to the ongoing construction of the Olodo bridge on Iwo/Ibadan expressway, in Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State, charging the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde and his Osun State counterpart, Ademola Adeleke to release more funds to ensure speedy completion of the road project.
The monarch, who test-drove his vehicles on the bridge, commended the two state governors for their commitment to the project and appealed to the duo to release more funds to ensure speedy completion of the work.
On the bridge construction, Oba Akanbi remarked, “This bridge wasn’t part of the plan initially. What was planned was a culvert, which will be cheaper, and for the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde to approve the construction of the bridge, which is more expensive, to address a problem that was discovered, we must appreciate him.
“He is a second-term governor; this is his last term as a governor, and for him to listen to the plight of the people shows he is a great leader and he has served his people well”.
“The money for the project can equally be used for something else, but he chooses to alleviate the sufferings of the people. I appreciate him.
“I am impressed because, initially, this bridge wasn’t part of the plan, but the contractor has done a great job.
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“I was lamenting earlier because the absence of this bridge will inflict suffering on the people of both states.”
He however applauded the contractors handling the project, describing them as progressive-minded people on site and charged them to maintain the tempo.
While applauding the CEO of Peculiar Construction firm, Lanre Abel Adeleke, for being able to deliver the bridge within 6 months, he noted that “this is a massive bridge; only one phase can take about 3 cars; the other phases are on hold because of the rain.”
Recall that the total construction of the 91-kilometer Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan road project was flagged off by the immediate past Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, and his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde.