To prevent a re-occurrence of the August 26, 2011 flood disaster, the Oyo State Government has approved the dredging of 23 rivers across the state.

Besides, the state government has also flagged-off the reconstruction of 50 roads at the cost of N5 billion.

The state Commissioner for Environment and Habitat, Mr. Wasiu Dauda, told newsmen shortly after the state executive council meeting on Monday that the dredging, which would gulp the sum of N133 million, would commence next week.

According to the commissioner, the rivers to be dredged include Odo-Ona-Apata, Olororo, Olode, Ajibode, all in Ibadan, and Odo-Ogba in Iseyin, among others.

The official flag-off of the road reconstruction was performed on Tuesday in Oyo town by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
Speaking at the ceremony held few metres away from the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the governor, who was represented by his deputy, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, said that the projects were in fulfillment of his promise to the people of the state.

He said that the roads in each of the zones of the state were carefully selected to significantly improve the transportation network of the state in terms of commerce and the overall well-being of the citizenry.

The governor said that the reconstruction/rehabilitation exercise was a testimony of his administration’s commitment to ensuring that the citizens of the state live a better life.

He said that the road, when completed, would enhance the road network in the state and improve transportation of goods and people, thus resulting in an increase in socio-economic activities in the state.

The state Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Yunus Akintunde, who spoke at the occasion, said that the projects, awarded to different contractors, would be completed within the period of three months.

“The projects were conceived to bring immediate relief in road transportation to the whole state by improving the motorable state of the roads in each of the zones, thereby increasing socio-economic activities of the areas and the entire Oyo State”,  he said, adding that it would also reduce accidents and travel time within the geo-political zones of the state.

The Deputy Governor, who represented Gov. Ajimobi had earlier paid a courtesy visit to Oba Adeyemi in his palace, where the monarch commended the governor for his efforts at improving the infrastructural base of the state.

I want to commend the governor for the vision towards the reconstruction of 50 roads in one fell swoop. This has never happened in the history of Oyo State, so far Gov. Ajimobi has done very well in all aspects of his administration; he has kept faith with the people of this state and he has adhered strictly to the execution of projects that have direct impact on the people. I am very impressed that he has not deviated from his electioneering promises.

“I want to call on the people of Oyo State to continue to support his government in its efforts at making life worth living for the masses”,  Oba Adeyemi said.