Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Thursday flagged off the construction of 8.8-kilometre Akure–Ijare Road, describing the project as a fulfilment of his administration’s promise to deliver tangible development across the state.
Flagging off the road project at Ikota Junction in Ijare, Ifedore Local Government Area, Governor Aiyedatiwa said his administration measures governance by visible improvements in the lives of the people rather than empty promises.
He noted that the Akure–Ijare road had suffered years of neglect, leaving traders, farmers, commuters, and students distressed by poor access, erosion-prone sections and life-threatening conditions, but assured that the narrative would now change permanently.
He commended leaders across Ifedore, including royal and religious figures, for their prayers and support, and praised the contractor, Dortmund and Company Nigeria Limited, as a fully indigenous construction firm selected under his administration’s OUR EASE Agenda, stressing that indigenous contractors would be prioritised wherever competence is equal.
Describing the road as one of the most strategic infrastructure investments in Ifedore and Ondo Central Senatorial District, the Governor outlined its features, which include a 14.6-metre carriageway, two-metre shoulders, reinforced concrete drainages, solar-powered streetlights, pedestrian walkways, bus lay-bys, landscaping and road furniture befitting a major access route into the state capital.
He said the project would be executed in three phases to reduce disruption, with palliative works beginning immediately to make the existing road motorable within four weeks, giving the contractor an 18-month deadline and promising personal supervision of the project.
Governor Aiyedatiwa also highlighted other roads completed or ongoing under his administration in the past 22 months, covering over 150 kilometres across the senatorial districts. These include the 9.75km Ute Township Roads (94.85% completed); the 4.7km dual carriageway from Ikare Junction–FMC–Mobil Junction–Ifesanmi Junction Road, Owo (83.47% completed); 17.54km asphalt overlay of selected roads in four Akoko LGAs (ongoing); 15km Oda Road dualisation (commissioned June 2025); 10km Akure–Idanre Road (ongoing); Ijoka Road dual carriageway (ongoing); 4.74km Oba-Ile Housing Estate Road (95% completed); solar streetlight projects in Akure Township (86.14% completed); 12.14km selected roads in Okitipupa (78.99% completed); and 10km selected roads in Ilaje LGA (ongoing).
He added that the new road would reduce travel time from Akure to Ijare from over 30 minutes to less than 10 minutes.
The Governor thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the economic reforms that have boosted federal allocations and enabled Ondo State to execute major projects without borrowing.
He appealed to residents for patience during construction, warned against vandalism, and urged youths to protect the project.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Abiola Olawoye, explained that the project involves two roads: a 6.2km stretch from Akure to Ijare and a 2.8km spur to Ikota.
He said: “We have two types of pavements, rigid pavements and flexible pavements. Flexible pavement is an asphalt pavement while rigid pavement is concrete pavement.”
Engr. Olawoye urged the contractor to complete the project to time.
The Chairman of Ifedore Local Government, Dipo Ajibola, described the flag-off as the fulfilment of a long-standing desire of the people, noting that the road would ease movement for students, workers, and residents.
The Chairman of Egbe Ijare, Mr. Akin Oluwole, commended the governor for easing travel difficulties and appealed for similar attention to Ilere, Irese, Aaye, and Araromi Omo Aladan. He urged the government to revive the old Ijare–Ikere Road and the local skill acquisition centre while pledging the community’s continued support.
He added: “We thank you. We want to assure you that we know the good deeds and that it is loaded, but it’s a gesture we are not going to take for granted. We want to pray that, as we say in business, as the cash flow accommodates, and with time, this largesse is also extended to other communities.”
The Owa of Araromi Omo Aladan, Oba Jaiyeoba Bamidele, said the governor had honoured his campaign promise to the people of the area and created a generational legacy, assuring him of the community’s loyalty.
The CEO of Dortmund Company, Pius Ayodele, promised strict adherence to project specifications and pledged to deliver quality work in collaboration with government engineers and consultants.
In her vote of thanks, thr Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Seun Osamaye, said the road would serve as a lifeline for women, traders, farmers, caregivers, and young people by enhancing safety and expanding access to commerce, education, healthcare and essential services.
She described it as a milestone strengthening the connection between the state capital and major communities and expressed gratitude to the governor on behalf of the state’s women and children, and reaffirmed the project’s importance for the future.
Fidelis David
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