Adesoji Aderemi Way

The launch of the 18-kilometre road was attended by top government functionaries, including Governor Rauf Aregbesola, his deputy, Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and the governor’s Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.

Others are the Deputy Speaker, House of Assembly, Mr. Akintunde Adegboye, the Head of Service, Mr. Sunday Owoeye, the Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Osun State, Elder Adebiyi Adelowo, members of the state Executive Council and traditional rulers.

Aregbesola said the preoccupation of his administration was the improvement of the socio-economic, infrastructural development and the well-being of the people.

He said: “This is why in the last two and a half years our government has attended to the modernisation of roads.”

Aregbesola said road infrastructure is a crucial element of the development efforts of his administration to take the state to an enviable height.

He said the road could be referred to as a circumferential highway starting from the roundabout on Iwo Road, passing through Ofatedo to Ataoja Grammar School, through Ilesa Road and ending at Osogbo Stadium Roundabout.

“The project will feature building of new culverts, three bridges, concrete side drainage and retaining walls, pavement surface and marking, construction of railway underpass, building of interchange and provision of street light,” the governor added.

According to him, bad roads have been the bane of development efforts, which explains why roads in the state have suffered neglect under previous administrations.

Aregbesola said when considering what is lost as a result of bad roads in terms of human lives and material resources, it is better to imagine what the people will stand to gain if and when roads are put in a good shape.

He said the cost-benefit analysis had been a major driving force behind the government’s commitment to modernising roads.

His words: “The depth of our commitment to road transformation is evident in the fact that our state is now a massive road construction site. We are constructing, reconstructing and rehabilitating roads.”

Our aim is to make Osun a state that will have one of the best and most modern road infrastructure in the country.

“The East Bypass is a dual carriageway that will be built to meet high standard in modern road construction. It will be constructed with two asphaltic surface layers and 40mm binder with 30mm wearing.”

The governor urged the construction company to meet the completion date and adhere to the specified standard.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Transport, Sabitu Amuda, an engineer, said besides being a standard two-lane dual carriageway of 7.30m width, the road also has features, such as a walkway, lay-byes and bus stops, street light, road verges landscapes and traffic signs.

Prince Aderohunmu Adesoji, on behalf of the family, thanked Aregbesola for immortalising his father. He described the project as unique, special and an historical landmark.

Prince Adesoji hailed the governor for recognising the achievements of the late Sir Adesoji Aderemi in the then Western Region and Nigeria.

Said he: “We thank the governor for taking this bold step. No government in the past 22 years has taken such step. That we still have leaders like Aregbesola, who remember heroes in this country, is amazing. His gesture will encourage more people to serve their state and country. We are appreciative of what he has done.”