Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has commissioned a 65km Moniya-Ijaiye-Iseyin road in Oyo State, as part of activities marking the second year in office of Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
During the commissioning, held on Thursday, at the Akinyele Local Government Secretariat, Moniya, Ibadan, Ortom commended the host Governor, Seyi Makinde, for his efforts, urging him never to contemplate leaving the people but work with them, do what they want, feel their pains and also give them leadership that would lead them out of their pains.
He said: “I commend my brother, that within the space of two years, we are here to commission among others, a 65km of roads fully asphaltic with a guarantee of 20years. And I believe and trust that he will do more for the people of the state. I commend Oyo people for giving him the backing and support.”
The Benue State Governor disclosed that all those who are seeking to shut him up from speaking out his mind in criticizing the ruling government, especially on issues that affect the country, should ensure that they serve the people of the country in justice, fairness and equity; describing himself as a man who stands and seeks justice, equity and fairness in all things.
Ortom noted: “Oyo and indeed the Yoruba nation have always stood with and supported the oppressed and have always been the voice of the oppressed in the country right from inception.”
Abandoned projects
Earlier, in his remark, Governor Makinde recounted that the project was earlier awarded at a cost of N7billion by the immediate past administration who also paid N2billion to the contractor. However nothing was done in two years. He noted that he had succeeded in recovering N1billion from the initial contractor and promised he would likewise recover the huge amount of money spent on the Ologuneru-Eruwa road.
Makinde said: “Although a contract for rehabilitation of this road was awarded by the previous administration, our initial inspection visits in 2019 revealed that the contractors had not even done 5 percent of the work here before abandoning it. We therefore had to revoke and re-award the contract.”
The event was attended by top government functionaries. Highpoint of the event was the cutting of the tape of the road by Governor Ortom, cultural presentation by dancers from both Benue and Oyo states, among other things.
Emmanuel Ukoh
