By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Residents of Oyo State have been urged by the government to be careful and avoid anything that might cause fire outbreak during the harmattan season, saying that the Mr Abiola Ajimobi’s administration would continue to support the fire services department to ensure that it performs its life-saving functions effectively.
Commissioner for Works and Transport in the state, Mr Wasiu Dauda, who gave this admonition during a courtesy call by members of the Oyo State House of Assembly Committee on Works and Transport recently, also cautioned motorists and other road users to be patient while driving during and after the festive period to avoid unnecessary roads mishap.
Mr Dauda said that the government understands the expediency of the fire service department and its official, stressing that government is working assiduously within its tight revenue to ensure that the operating vehicles and equipment of the State Fire Services function effectively.
According to him, the government has directed the Vehicle Inspection Officers in the state to ensure that motorists and other road users comply with roads’ rules and codes.
Responding, the committee Chairman, Mr Adesola Sangodipe, charged the state government to urgently address the shortcomings in the fire service department and consequently urge officers of the Vehicle Inspection Officers department to be prudent in their operations and always remit the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to government coffers appropriately.
Similarly, the State House of Assembly has applauded Governor Abiola Ajimobi for his commitment towards the development of the State through road infrastructure despite the state’s dwindling revenue.
The Majority Leader of the House, Mr Kehinde Subar, representing Ibadan South West Constituency 1, who is also a member of the House Committee on Works and Transport, gave this commendation during an inspection exercise of the committee to the reconstruction/rehabilitation of the Mobil-Oluyole-Wema Bank-Apata Road and the dualization of Efunsetan-Podo roundabout-Tollgate Interchange Phase II, both in Ibadan.
Mr Subair said the inspection was part of the oversight functions of the committee on any awarded project that the state government embarked upon to monitor and know if the project is done to specifications and standard.
While appreciating the Governor, Mr Subair said that Mr Ajimobi understands the plight of the citizens because he executes environment/business friendly projects, adding that development and businesses can only thrive in a conducive environment with good and accessible roads that will attract foreign and local investors.
“The Committee is very satisfied with the level of the projects, all the measurements are accurate and the thickness of the asphalt is realistic. We also commend the Ministry of Works and Transport for playing their part by supervising the projects,” he stressed.
While commending the contractors handling both projects, Adold Engineering Development Company Limited and Hitech Construction Company respectively for carrying out the projects according to specifications, Mr Subair noted that the committee is very satisfied with the levels of the projects’ completion.
He also pointed out that there would be easy movement of vehicles, economy improvement and less traffic gridlock especially along Apata-Odo – ona road and therefore appealed to the people of the area to make use of the road judiciously as the present administration would do more to fulfil its electioneering campaign promises.
Adedapo Adesanya