By Akeem Abas
Saki – Residents of Saki town on Wednesday in Saki lauded the Oyo State Government on the award of the dualisation contract of their township road.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the state government had on Monday listed the dualisation of Saki township road from Oke-Ogun Polytechnic to Ilesa Baruba.
NAN reports that the 11-kilometre road was awarded to Adold Engineering Development Company at a contract sum of N8.22 billion for a period of 18months.
The residents had in their separate interviews commended the state government on the project, which they stated would boost the economy of the town.
The Chairman, Saki West Local Government, Mr Kareem Adegoke, said that the road project would ease transportation, reduce road accidents and boost agriculture sector in the state.
“Saki is one of the food basket areas of Oyo State. Saki is the biggest urban settlement in Oke-Ogun with an estimated population of 800,000 people.
“We are optimistic that the road has finally been awarded and would be completed in 18 months.
“I am very sure that lots of communities will merge with Saki and several development projects will spring up, “ he said.
He expressed delight that the project would affect few properties, adding that the people have always complied with the road setback directive.
Kareem hoped that the contractors would soon move to site and ensure that work reaches an advanced stage before the next rainy season.
The Rector, The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, Mr Matthew Oladeji, said that the project was long overdue, saying its commencement would open the town to the world.
Oladeji said that the dualisation of the road would boost the economy of the town, urging the people to continue to support the government.
“We are soliciting the cooperation of residents, commuters, transporters who are likely to grapple with inconveniences for the duration of the project, “ he said.
Mr Rasak Akande, the Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Saki Interstate branch, remarked that the road rehabilitation would improve transportation business and reduce constant damages to vehicles.
He urged the people living in areas marked for demolition in the survey design of the contractors to evacuate their houses.
NAN reports that some other community leaders in the town, including Mr Yekeen Arikose, Mr Adeyemo Adewunmi and Mrs Fasasi Sabiti, expressed joy over the project.
They all stated that the project would enhance their businesses and living conditions of Saki people and their neighbours.