N14bn flyover, 17 road projects rescue Ile-Ife from embarrassment — Obalufe
The Ile-Ife community, through the Ooni’s second-in-command, Oba Idowu Adediwura, has said the construction of a N14 billion flyover and 17 road projects by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration has preserved
The Ile-Ife community, through the Ooni’s second-in-command, Oba Idowu Adediwura, has said the construction of a N14 billion flyover and 17 road projects by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration has preserved the town’s cultural heritage and shielded it from global embarrassment arising from years of infrastructural decay.
Oba Adediwura, who is also the head of kingmakers, spoke on Wednesday after a project tour conducted by officials of the state government, led by the Director of Highways, Engr. Moruf Ojebode.
He lamented the prolonged neglect of infrastructure in the ancient town, noting that the poor state of roads had embarrassed the cradle of the Yoruba race, particularly when tourists from across the world visit Ile-Ife.
He maintained that the ongoing projects across the town have restored dignity to the historic city, especially as visitors previously struggled to access cultural centres located within the community due to dilapidated roads.
According to him, the projects will promote culture and bring honour to Ile-Ife as the origin of the Yoruba race. He described it as unfortunate and embarrassing for visitors travelling from different parts of the world to encounter impassable roads on arrival in the ancestral home of the Yoruba people.
“But I want to commend Governor Adeleke for saving us from global embarrassment by the ongoing flyover project and other township roads in the town. With the good roads now, it will promote our culture in Ife as a whole. As we will be doing Olojo festival by September, Aje festival is coming up next week, at least, tourists and worshippers will ply good roads.”
The Director of Highways, Engr Ojebode disclosed that the ongoing N14bn flyover project is 80 per cent completed and will be delivered in record time.
He added that, “We have constructed and completed Iredunmi to oke ijan, Oriyangi to St. John, Manchester to igboya, Olurin to Omi Okun, Ife city Benediction road, London street to Iremo, Ogbingbin to Garage Isale, Agric to Opa Ife, Akinlalu Junction to Akinlalu Town, Magistrate Court to Itamerin Yakooyo and AP Junction Road to Itasin Junction Modakeke.”
“Also, Cele Road to Ajape Junction Modakeke, RCM Road One Alafia Ifetedo, Moore Babaakodi and Osun State University are completed while work is ongoing at Edunabon to Tonkere and Ayedaade roads.”
Similarly, former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), Prof Wale Oladipo, commended Adeleke for bringing Ile-Ife to the fore infrastructurally, saying, “It is unfortunate that 1,000 years ago, Ile-Ife is one of the five major cities in the whole wide world but it has become what it became due to rapid urbanization in other areas of the country and especially other parts of Yoruba land. Most of these towns were founded by people who left Ife in early days so we are proud of the growth of the other cities.
“We thank God that Adeleke is restoring the dignity of the cradle of the Yoruba Race through several road projects and the ongoing flyover that is near completion.”
