Oyo awards reconstruction of Moniya-Iseyin Road

The Oyo State Government yesterday said that it had approved the total reconstruction of the 65-kilometre Moniya/Ijaiye/Iseyin Road, linking the food basket of the state.

The state’s Commissioner for Infrastructure, Works and Transport, Prof. Raphael Afonja, who disclosed this at the end of the state executive council meeting, said that the reviewed road reconstruction work would cost N9.9 billion.

Also speaking at a briefing at the end of the State Executive Council meeting, Commissioner for Education, Prof. Dahud Shagodoyin, confirmed the award of an N170 million contract for the printing of a 10-subject compendium for Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) students.

The road to being reconstructed connects Oke-Ogun, the food basket of the state, to the state capital.

The commissioners told newsmen that the state executive council had accepted to provide for e-training and skills development for teachers in public schools in the state.

The immediate past government of Senator Abiola Ajimobi had in February 2018 awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of the road at the cost of N7 billion, out of which N2 billion was paid to the contractor who could not deliver on the terms.

Governor Seyi Makinde had to revoke the contract after lamenting the slow pace of work and shoddy job being done.

Afonja noted that several key components in the road project had been upgraded for it to be qualitative, long-lasting and fitted to serve the state better.

“Let me use this medium to announce to the Oyo State indigenes that at the executive council meeting, Governor Seyi Makinde approved the total reconstruction of Moniya-Ijaye-Iseyin Road, which is an important road that will add value to the economy of the state.

“We are all aware that the contract of this road was initially terminated by Governor Makinde due to the inconsistency and underperformance of the other contractor.

“I must say that one of the things that were captured in the approval process is that this road will be completed in 12 months. We have selected a contractor that will be carrying out this project in the person of KOPEK and we are hoping that by the end of the week, they will move to the site, mobilise and start their work.

“So, we look forward to getting this road completed by this time next year,” he said.

Similarly, Shangodoyin explained that the state government approved the printing of 100,000 copies of a compendium of past WASSCE questions, answers and marking schemes on 10 subjects, which it will distribute to SSS III students for free.

He said that the step was taken as part of the government’s commitment to delivering free and qualitative education to students of the state.

“We also agreed that we would make enough publicity to sensitise the public on the importance of the compendium, which is meant for the SS3 students in our state. This is because we want to improve on the performance rating of our external examinations.

“While distributing this compendium, we equally want to motivate our students around the geo-political zone of the state.

“On the recruitment of teachers, we have been given approval in principle. We are commencing the implementation process soon and have not advertised. I have sent out messages to declare that there are some scammers and fraudsters outside. People should desist from going to apply online or come to TESCOM,” he said.
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We have not yet advertised. We have not yet finalised on the recruitment but we have in principle that we are going to recruit teachers.”