“The second best time to plan Nigeria is today,” Governor Makinde gives free shops to 700 Street traders in Ibadan

•… we are here to flag off the 32.2km road infrastructure component of this south-east wing of the Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road, Ibadan.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state has declared that 700 street traders displaced by the Agodi Gate Junction Improvement Works will be given free stalls in the new market built in the area as part of the project.

The governor stated this on Friday, March 22, at the commissioning of the Idi Ape, Civic Centre, Agodi Gate Junction Improvement Projects, noting that the projects will reduce the number of man-hours spent by residents commuting roads in the city.

He added that the project would also ease traffic flow and contribute to boosting commercial activities in the axis, just as it would help the government to enforce the rule of law regarding street trading and orderliness in the city.

Governor Makinde, who spoke to the admiration of jubilant market men and women, said three new Junction Improvement Projects would come up in UI-Agbowo, Polytechnic Road-Sango and Eleyele Junction.

According to the governor, the delivery of the projects also activated another component in his Oyo State Roadmap to Sustainable Development, 2023-2027, which has to do with the rule of law and orderliness in the society.

He appreciated the governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, for being part of the occasion, stating that his presence in Ibadan showed that it was time to work together at this period in the life of the country rather than looking for what could divide the people.

Makinde said: “As you have already seen from the available visual, we are commissioning these three junction improvement works at Agodi Gate, Civic Centre and Idi Ape. These are important projects that will reduce the man-hours spent in traffic in Ibadan.

“Let me also announce that another three are coming to Ibadan; U.I junction is coming, Poly Road junction is coming and Eleyele junction is also coming.

“More importantly, by completing and commissioning this project, we are making a clear statement and those of you in Ibadan would have been aware of the chaos this place used to be. With this project, we are bringing sanity to this axis.

“So, it is significant in our quest to implement another component in our Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development 2023-2027, and that is the rule of law.

“The shops that are here are for those trading by the side of the road, and they will be given free of charge. Nobody will collect one Naira from you. This means 700 of you will be moving out of the street into this place. So, we thank God.

“We can see how beautiful this environment is now and our plan is to keep it that way. Street trading and illegal dumping of refuse at road medians are two uncivil acts we must do away with as citizens.

“I have given a directive that anyone found carrying out such activities in this area should face the full wrath of the law. As we celebrate this accomplishment, I vow to do more for our people because it is our belief that you will reciprocate by protecting this project.”

Also speaking at the flag off of the 32.2km road infrastructure component of the Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja Circular Road, the governor said his administration decided to embark on the project, which was conceived about 20 years ago because it realised the importance of developing Ibadan sustainably so as to secure the future.

The governor added that he would ensure strict supervision of the project and that the government will move to open the northeast of the project from Badeku to Moniya in Akinyele Local Government in a matter of weeks.

“The last time we were at this location, we flagged off the construction of the bridges and interchanges, which have now been completed. So, we are here to flag off the 32.2km road infrastructure component of this south-east wing of the Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road, Ibadan.

“To ensure that this very important project to the economic development of Oyo state is done, we had to break down East and North-East wings and I am certain the 32.2km South-East wing is almost done. From the original amount, we have paid 60 per cent.

“Within the next few weeks, we will award the north-east wing, which is another 34km and would take us from here to Moniya where we have the Dry Port, Ilu-Tuntun and the train station.”

He equally addressed residents protesting the demolition of their properties on the Circular Road corridor, noting that development always comes with sacrifices but his government would compensate property owners with genuine papers, while some others affected will be relocated.

He charged the affected residents to cooperate with the government to enable it to carry out a proper enumeration to be able to take necessary actions.

In his speech at both events, Anambra State governor, Professor Charles Soludo, lauded Governor Makinde for his uncommon leadership and for embarking on urban regeneration through infrastructure projects that can secure the future.

Soludo said: “On this project, I will say Governor Makinde, who is also my brother and friend, is an uncommon leader.

“Right from the Ibadan Airport down to this location, you can literally touch and feel the infrastructure development. Even if you are blind, you will see that Ibadan is not the same again. The difference is clear and I want to commend Governor Makinde.

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice. I want to thank you because you have put your finger on what is so fundamental. Politicians worry about the next election while leaders worry about the next generation.

“The best time to have planned the cities in Nigeria was 60 years ago and the second best time to plan them is today and I am very excited to be part of this ceremony today, which is very symbolic, which is about urban regeneration.

“While we dream about building new cities, if we don’t regenerate the existing ones they will grow up into large chaotic ghettos and society will be in peril.

“Therefore, regenerating urban cities, keeping them clean and green is a herculean task and I am glad that today, Governor Makinde is doing his best.”

In his speech, the Oyo State Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Prof. Dahud Shangodoyin, said the Junction Improvement Works included traffic system management as well as provision of car parks, bus shelters, lock-up shops and stalls.

Also speaking at Badeku, where the 32.2km road infrastructure component of the Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road was flagged, Shangodoyin said the project is another significant milestone in the state’s journey towards progress and sustainable development.

The two events were attended by a former Oyo State Military Administrator, Major General Oladayo Popoola (retired); Deputy Governor of the state, Barr. Bayo Lawal; PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; Barrister Hazeem Gbolarunmi; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin; and the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima, represented by Honourable Justice Ishola.

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, commissioners and other appointees of the governor were also in attendance at the separate events.

Also in attendance were the co-chairmen of the Oyo State Elders Council, Dr Saka Balogun and Elder Wole Oyelese; members of the Oyo State Advisory Council, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu and Senator Gbenga Babalola; traditional rulers from across all zones in the state; National Assembly members including Hon. Abass Adigun, Dr Anthony Adebayo Adepoju and Hon. Oyeshina Oyedeji; PDP National Vice Chairman, (Southweest), Engr Kamorudeen Ajisafe; and PDP National Vice-Chairman (South-East), Chief Ali Odefa, among others.