• Links N296 billion road project to 2027 stakes
• Oyo govt chides FG for excluding Makinde from ceremony
• Akure 2.38 flyover more than necessary, says Aiyedatiwa
• Gov tasks contractor on design, budget, schedule

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has linked the N296 billion reconstruction and dualisation of the 56.5-kilometre Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road to his administration’s efforts to boost economic integration, regional trade and infrastructure-led development in the South-West.

Tinubu stated this yesterday during the flag-off of the project at the Idi-Ayunre end of the highway in Ibadan, Oyo State, where he also announced further Federal Government interventions on major roads across the region.

The President, who was represented at the ceremony by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, said the project was part of his administration’s infrastructure agenda aimed at easing transportation challenges and improving the nation’s road network.

MEANWHILE, Oyo State Government has accused the Federal Government of deliberately excluding Governor Seyi Makinde from the flag-off of the dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road, describing the development as “taking politics too far.”

The state’s Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in a statement yesterday, said the exclusion was unnecessary, particularly as the governor was on leave but had an Acting Governor representing him in the state.

RELATEDLY. Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has defended the construction of the 2.38-kilometre Oyemekun-Oba Adesida flyover in Akure, maintaining that the President’s recent stance about unnecessary flyover projects was not directed at his administration.

Aiyedatiwa made the clarification yesterday during the flag-off ceremony of the project, where he dismissed insinuations over the viability of the project.

The governor’s defence comes weeks after Tinubu expressed displeasure over state governors prioritising flyover constructions over what he described as more pressing infrastructure needs, despite increased monthly allocations to states.

Aiyedatiwa said that his administration had conducted thorough studies before embarking on the project and that the Oyemekun-Oba Adesida axis qualifies as a location where such infrastructure is urgently needed to address traffic congestion constantly being witnessed along the busy route.

The governor expressed gratitude to Tinubu for the economic reforms that have enabled all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to access more funds from the federation account.

He, however, charged the contractors to justify the confidence reposed in them by the government and the people of Ondo State, urging them to work according to design, budget, and schedule.