Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said that his administration will complete the 32-kilometre stretch, First Phase of Ibadan Circular Road, before the end of his tenure on May 28, 2023.
The governor, who stated this during a tour of the project, said that his administration had to sack the contractor inherited from the previous administration due to unsatisfactory slow pace of work.
According to him, the contractor would be unable to deliver the road in another 20 years if allowed to continue at the slow pace.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, stated that the governor, however, promised to pay the sacked contractor for evaluated work done.
As at the time of the governor made the on-the-spot assessment, only two kilometres of the 32-kilometre road had been tarred at the level of wearing cost by ENL Consortium Construction company.
He said: “We have terminated the initial arrangement. This is the road that we think will change the economy of Oyo State substantially but the previous contractor, if we had continue with their pace, maybe they may finish in another 20 years.”
Makinde noted that the government has been asking the contractor to do joint valuation because his administration does not want to destroy anyone’s business, adding that the government will ensure that the contractor is reimbursed when the evaluation is completed.
He added: “Now, we are asking them to do joint valuation because we are not here to destroy anyone’s business. Of course, money has been spent and we have to ensure that whatever has been put into to this, we will reimburse the previous contractor.
“So, we have an appreciation of what we need to do to ensure that this kicks off almost immediately and then it can meet our target.”