Workers, Traditional Rulers, Transport Unions Commend Aregbesola

• As Gov. Commissions Road Named After Workers, Church

By Ismaeel Uthman

All sectors of the society on Tuesday poured encomiums on Governor Rauf Aregbesola for the spate of infrastructure development in the state, describing the governor as a great achiever and a trail blazer.

Labour unions, traditional rulers, religious leaders, commercial transporters, artisans and other groups of people lauded Aregbesola for the massive road construction and opening up of rural areas with Rural Access and Mobility Project (ORAMP).

Aregbesola on Tuesday commissioned the dual carriage ‘Workers Drive’, a 2.8km road, just as he named a triangular junction at the starting point of the road after the Apostolic Church.

The Apostolic Church had been demolished to pave way for the construction of the triangular junction and reconstruction of the road.

Aregbesola who disclosed that the fund for the road was sourced from the Omoluabi Infrastructure Conservative Fund, explained that he named the former Olaiya-Odi-Olowo-Ita-Olookan road after the workers to appreciate their steadfastness, sacrifice and loyalty during the financial crisis in the state.

The governor stated that Osun workers bore the brunt of the financial crisis which was as a result of the misappropriation of the national resources by the ousted Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led government.

He described the workers as treasure and agent of change, saying that their support to his administration could not be overemphasized, just as he described them as the cutting edge instrumental to the realisation of the government’s goals and aspirations for the people of the state.

Aregbesola disclosed that 579 structures consisting of houses, shops, uncompleted building, mosques, churches and others were standing on the road before the reconstruction, adding that 170 people were compensated with N392m for the separation of their structures from the road.

The governor maintained that there should not be any need for separation of structures from the road had the properties owners followed the rules and regulations of town planning.

Aregbesola who recalled the deplorable state of the road before the intervention, explained that the road was a death trap for many years with its narrow nature and pot holes at strategic points which led to accidents.

Delivering his speech titled: “A Promise Kept”, Aregbesola explained that the various success of the present administration was made possible through the cooperation of the state House of Assembly.

He described the road as one of the oldest settlements in Osogbo which leads to the Osun groove, a UNESCO world heritage site, hence there is the need to put it in good shape.

Aregbesola said the road was approved for construction at the time it was done despite the financial challenges the state was facing because the road is significant to the growth and development of the state capital.

According to Aregbesola, “We started this road at a time when the state was in serious financial challenges, but with the help of the House of Assembly this was made possible.

“It is our desire to make Osogbo look like a true state capital that will be attractive to investors and boost the economy of the state.”

Delivering an address, Speaker of the state house of assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam who attributed the success of the present administration to the cooperation that exists between the house and the governor said they are proud of Aregbesola’s achievements.

He said the governor has turned the Olaiya to Ita-Olokan road to a road truly befitting of a state capital, stressing that the Osogbo of today is now different from the Osogbo of the past as a result of Aregbesola’s intervention.

The speaker who titled his speech, “Infrastructural Development, A Plan For Economic Growth” said he is confident that other projects across the state at various stages of completion will be completed before the tenure ends.

Speaking on behalf of other royal fathers at the event, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, described Aregbesola’s administration as impactful and very beneficial to the people of the state.

Oba Olanipekun who commended Aregbesola for the spate of infrastructure development in the state, particularly in Osogbo, said he was happy for the commissioning of the road because three previous administrations had attempted the project and couldn’t complete it.

Commenting, the labour unions in the state, led by the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Jacob Adekomi, commended Aregbesola for his sensitivity to the plight of the workers, acknowledging that his administration has been workers-friendly.

Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Messrs Lekan Salami and Olajire Aweda respectively lauded Aregbesola for the massive road project and empowerment of the commercial transporters.