By Rahman Taofeeq,
The Good Governance Advocates (GGA) has commended the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji Ph.D, for what it described as his role in facilitating the approval of eight major federal road projects worth N1.137 trillion for Oyo State, describing the development as a landmark investment in the state’s infrastructure.
This was in addition to the construction of Awe-Iwo Ate road facilitated by the revenue boss.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mr Akeem Olaleye, the group said the projects, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, reflect the Federal Government’s commitment to transforming road infrastructure and accelerating economic development across Oyo State.
The projects formed part of the N3.94 trillion road contracts approved by the Federal Executive Council at its meeting on Monday, presided over by President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to GGA, the approved projects, which are spread across Oyo State’s three senatorial districts, will improve transportation, promote commerce, ease the movement of agricultural produce, and enhance connectivity between Oyo and neighbouring states.
The group further noted that the total value of the newly approved road projects for Oyo State is higher than the cumulative value of federal road projects executed in the state during the eight-year administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The approved projects include the N276 billion dualisation of the Ilorin–Ogbomoso Road, the N217 billion dualisation of the old alignment from Ijaye through the Federal Government College axis to Ilorin Road with a spur to Akinmorin, the N265 billion reconstruction of the Iseyin–Eruwa–Agbesi Road spanning Oyo and Kwara states, and the N110 billion reconstruction of the Ogbomoso–Oko–Ilupu Road linking Oyo and Osun states.
Others are the N98 billion construction of the 30-kilometre Idi-Araba–Ayede–Olodo Road, the N82 billion rehabilitation of Igbeti Road, the N74 billion construction of the Igbeti–Soro–Kishi Road, and the N15.5 billion construction of the 13-kilometre Badeku–Jaiye Road.
GGA said the projects have a combined value of N1.1375 trillion, describing the investment as unprecedented in the history of federal road infrastructure development in Oyo State.
The group specifically lauded Mr Zacch Adedeji for his commitment to the development of Oyo State and for facilitating initiatives that would enhance infrastructure across the state. It expressed confidence that the projects would boost economic activities, create employment opportunities, reduce travel time and improve the living standards of residents.
It also urged the Federal Government to ensure the prompt mobilisation of contractors and the timely completion of the projects to enable the people of Oyo State to reap their full economic and social benefits.