Why Osun Is Spending More On Roads, By Aregbesola

By The Guardian Newspaper

THE Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has disclosed that his government has allocated lion share of 2013 budget capital spending to transportation sub-sector because of the administration’s belief that it is a vital catalyst for economic and industrial development.

A total sum of N30.21 billion or 25.38 per cent of the capital budget has been allocated to transport for the execution of the various projects in the sub-sector in 2013.

A statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, quoted Aregbesola as saying that in view of his government’s commitment to ensure that roads are in good condition throughout the state, sum of N24.61billion out of N30.21 billion allocated to the sub-sector has been voted for road rehabilitation and construction in the 2013 budget.

The governor said that since the inception of his administration, construction and rehabilitation of inter and intra-city roads has remained one of its top priorities, saying government identifies road construction and maintenance as essential to achieving economic and socio-political end.

Aregbesola noted that in the current fiscal year, government would award new contracts, including the construction of roads such as the East Bypass Road Osogbo, Iwo – Osogbo Road, Gbongan – Osogbo Road.

“The monumental achievements we have recorded in this sub-sector underscored the belief of our administration in the importance of transportation as catalyst for economic and industrial development.

“The present administration recognises road construction and maintenance as pivotal in the achievement of economic, social and political goals. Based on this, the government is determined, with all patriotic zeal, to increase the tempo of construction and rehabilitation and maintenance works within the nine federal constituencies of Osun State.

“Our government is resolutely committed to standard and quality job delivery, and has made it as the watchword for the project execution for all contracts and direct labour jobs in Osun State. One can see this with the thickness of the asphalt surfacing, standard reinforced concrete drainages on all newly constructed and rehabilitated road projects across the state,” Aregbesola said.