In and around Oyo town in Oyo State, euphoria is palpable and pervasive. The people have been singing ‘Kumbaya’ since the return to work of contractors on road construction projects in the ancient town. Notably is the dualization of the 2.6km Owode-Afin road and the 4km Owode-Iseyin junction road, both of which were awarded during Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s first term but abandoned for close to two years causing serious discomfort to the people.
No reason was given for this. The governor was then bombarded by well-meaning indigenes who believe he has a listening ear and would not sit back and watch the people suffer unduly.
During the sixth year anniversary of Governor Ajimobi last May, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, in a newspaperadvertorial, hailed the governor for what he has done in the state, saying that he would move from excellent to distinction when he completes the Oyo road projects because when completed, the roads would help stimulate the economy of the ancient town.
Proactive and pragmatic, Governor Ajimobi, whose approval rating has been nudging stratosphere, swung into action, re-awarded the contract and mobilised the new contractor, Still Earth Construction and Realties to site, instructing them on the timely delivery of the projects.
Trusted and tested and known to deliver on such time-bound assignments without cutting cornersor lowering standards, Still Earth Construction moved to site and within days had started the asphaltic laying of the ‘binding course’ from Isokun to Ojongbodu end of the road while the ‘wearing course’, together with street lights, would be laid and installed in due course.
The pace of work on the roads hasstunned indigenes and visitors alike to stupefaction and they have been praising the governor and the contractor to high heavens. For them, the decision to massively vote for Gov. Ajimobi for a second term, which had never happened in the history of Oyo State, was finally paying off.
