The Minister of Works of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator David Umahi toured virtually all the states in South West on Friday, 1st September, 2023 in the bid to inspect dilapidated roads and also supervise the contractors that were awarded some roads that are under construction.
Enrouting Osun State, the former governor of Ebonyin State used the opportunity to pay homage to the pamanent Chairman of the traditional council, South West chapter, the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Babatunde Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,CFR,Ojaja II.
Speaking at the Palace of Oonirinsa, the former Senator representing Ebonyin South Senatorial district appreciated Ooni for the warm reception and also used the opportunity to acquaint Kabiesi with the purpose of his tour which is to inspect and also supervise the road projects that are under construction.
In his own speech, the Arole Oduduwa, Ooni Babatunde Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi,CFR,Ojaja II lamented that the only road that leads to his palace which is Iremo road in Ile-Ife is in an embarrassing state.
Ooni, therefore, used the opportunity to call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to include the road in his renewed hope agenda.
Shockingly, the Minister cuts in by calling the contractor that is in charge of the road in the presence of Kabiesi and posed the question directly to him that why did they abandon the road.
The representative of KOPEK responded by saying expansions still need to be made and some buildings that were affected have not been compensated. So, there is no way they can continue the road without doing the needful.
But the Ooni interjected by saying he personally supervised the road. All your excuses are not tenable. We expanded where needs to be expanded already by ourselves, Olofin Adimula said.
Senator David Umahi further said the reason why all these contractors are running away is because they are not ready to meet up with what the Ministry of Works want. How will a road be completed, and it will not use 5 years before it gets spoilt again? Umahi asked
Facing the representatives of the firm in charge of the road, the one term deputy governor of Ebonyin State informed expressly that any firm that can not guarantee a 30-year life span of road project without maintenance and also, that is not ready to bring their insurance company to insure the projects will not be given any project.
He equally used the medium to clear the air that no private or public enterprise is sponsoring the construction of any road as he speaks contrary to the rumor that is flying around. Senator Umahi, therefore, concluded by saying they should write his office to inform the Ministry about the road so that it can be included in supplementary budget that will be submitted. He promised that the Federal Ministry of Works will look into it speedily.
Due to the Minister’s tight schedule, Ooni led him to greet the community leaders who have been waiting for his arrival as he waved to them in the process of departing the palace.
Other dignitaries at the Palace include Senator Iyiola Omisoore, APC stalwarts, high Chiefs of Ife Kingdom and others..