The Oyo State Executive Council, on Wednesday, agreed to spend N3.5 billion to clear bushes along the 36.7km North-East part of Rashidi Ladoja Ibadan Circular Road.
Daud Sangodoyin, the state Commissioner for Public Work and Transport, made this announcement after the council’s meeting at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan.
According to The PUNCH, in March 2024, thousands of residents lost their homes as the government created 500-meter corridors along circular roads.
The 500-meter corridor on both sides of the circular roads crosses at least five Local Government Areas: Ona Ara; Akinyele; Egbeda; Oluyole; and Ido.
Sangodoyin stated that the new phase of the project, lasting six months, will complement the completed South-East segment of the road.
Sangodoyin also explained that the project involves clearing 150-meter wide bushes over the 36.7km length, removing topsoil, constructing selected culverts, and providing limited earthworks. The cost for this purpose is N3.5 billion.
The commissioner also mentioned that the government approved the refurbishment and redesign of the Governor’s Lodge and State Liaison Office at Ikeja, Lagos State, which had been abandoned.
Sangodoyin noted that the project would cost ₦322,134,999.05 over three months.
He added that the council had approved the reconstruction of the 0.5km Mapo roundabout to Oritamerin road in Ibadan at the sum of ₦373,809,539.41.
Governor Seyi Makinde has also authorized the regularization and integration of 129 floating staff members of the defunct Oyo State Agricultural Development Program into the mainstream of the state civil service.
He stated, “The reabsorbed 129 staff will now receive their promotions and other benefits for civil servants. By taking this action, the governor is showing consistent empathy for civil servants who have procedural or legal issues with the system.”
Additionally, the state Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Musibau Babatunde, mentioned that the state council had approved the sum of ₦691,307,39.86 to be invested in Wema Bank Right Issuance Program.
Babatunde stated, “While many states are focused on obtaining loans, Oyo is investing for the future of the state. This investment will help the government prepare and secure the state's financial future.”
Babatunde also revealed that the council had approved a N10 billion facility to provide counterpart funding for World Bank-assisted projects in the state.
He explained that the funding would support the government as a matching grant to access certain World Bank programs geared towards the socioeconomic wellbeing of residents of the state.
