...approves junction improvement, construction of link roads
The Government of Oyo State has approved the purchase of 106 brand new buses for the mass transit scheme in the state, while also approving the construction of two link roads around Akobo and junction improvement contracts in the Challenge area of Ibadan.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Wasiu
Olatubosun; his Budget and Planning counterpart, Barrister Adeniyi Farinto; and
the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Seun Fakorede, who addressed newsmen on
the outcome of the state’s Executive Council meeting, said that the approval
was in line with the government's drive to transform the transport sector and
improve the state's economy through same.
Fakorede, in his submission at the press conference on
Wednesday, said that the 29th State Executive Council meeting, approved the
purchase of the buses at the cost of N9.3 Billion.
A statement by Mr. Taiwo Adisa, Chief Press Secretary
to Governor Seyi Makinde, indicated that the approval for the purchase of the
buses was one of the resolutions reached at the meeting.
Fakorede stated that transportation is a vital factor
in the economic development of any nation, adding that the purchase of the
buses would greatly assist the development of intra-city transportation in
Ibadan and other parts of the state and also boost the economic development of
the state.
According to him, the operations of the Bus Rapid
Transit (BRT) scheme as a major means of public transportation has been
accepted in some Nigerian cities over the years, stating that the Pacesetter
Transit Scheme is a good example of the BRT system existing in Oyo State.
He said: "I wish now to state that the effort and
the commitment of the present administration under the visionary leadership of
His Excellency, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde, are revamping the agriculture sector
in the state. So, it is imperative that the state provides adequate and
effective means of transportation, of moving persons, goods, and services,
which will have a multiplier effect on commerce and economic development of the
state.”
He added: “A company, by the name Petrobridge Nigeria
LTD, has been identified as having the capacity and the capability to
immediately supply 106 unit of buses to complement the transportation-related
activities in Oyo State. And, to this end, it is worthy to note that there is
an urgent need to purchase 106 units of brand-new buses to complement the fleet
at the PTS and also to improve the mass-transit system in the state and, by
extension, boost the economy of the state.
“Therefore, the council considered and approved the
supply of 106 unit of brand-new buses at a total cost of N9,395,427,659.5 only,
all taxes inclusive."
Similarly, the state's Commissioner for Information,
Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, also stated that the Council
considered and approved the contract for the execution of the junction
improvement works at Challenge Roundabout and Felele/Idi-Odo Junction to Messrs
Planet Project Limited at the cost of N2,538,856,913.36.
He said that the project would ensure the installation
of an intelligent transportation system, which, he said, includes intelligent
traffic signals, traffic signal installation, traffic signs, anti-finger metal
security fence and other infrastructural systems with control room and
coordination traffic signal devices.
According to him, the system would serve as a major
catalyst for traffic solutions at the Challenge, Felele/Idi-Odo junctions.
The Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning,
Barrister Adeniyi Farinto, in his contribution, said that the Council granted
approval for the rehabilitation and construction of two link roads at Akobo
area of Ibadan at the cost of N69 million.
He said that the project would be executed through
Direct Labour by the Oyo State Transport and Road Management Agency (OYSTROMA)
and that it is expected to be completed within two months.
According to Farinto, the two link roads include the
one linking the Ojoo Expressway, beside the General Gas-Akobo Bridge, while the
second link road is the one beside the NNPC Mega station, saying the importance
of the project is to bring relief to road users constantly facing traffic
gridlock along the Akobo-Ojurin Federal Road.
He said: “The contract is to be executed through the
direct labour efforts of OYSTROMA, and it is to cost N69,170,431.72. The
execution of the contract will commence soon and it is expected to be completed
within two months.”
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