From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Contrary to President Bola Tinubu’s claim that Ilobu/Ifon/Erinle Road in Osun State has been completed and commissioned, the people of Ifon-Osun said the road is not completed.
A statement by Prince Jide Akinyooye, the Coordinator of Dee Osun Monitors, yesterday, recalled that President Tinubu at the commissioning ceremony of the first phase of Lagos/Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos, listed Ilobu/Erinle Road as one of the completed and commissioned projects as part of the activities marking his two-year achievements.
Akinyooye explained that only seven percent of the 44 kilometres road had been completed, urging the president to ensure completion of the project in the interest of Osun and Kwara state residents.
“We are compelled to humbly correct the mis-statement regarding the Ilobu/Ifon-Erinle Road project. Contrary to the claim by President Bola Tinubu that the project is completed, we wish to clarify that the 44-kilometre road, (Contract # 6620) in the Federal Ministry of Works under Sukuk funded Project, which cuts across Ilobu, Ifon, Ilie in Osun State and Erinle in Kwara State is currently about 15 percent completed.
“Therefore, we wish to put it on record and state that the statement credited to Mr. President that the said project is completed is of a great concern to the affected communities like Ilobu, Ifon, Ilie, Erinle and others in both Osun and Kwara states, especially that it is only seven kilometres of the project that has been completed out of the total 44 kilometres.
“It is pertinent to clarify that the contractor started the job from the Osogbo/Ogbomosho junction, Ilobu in Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State and stopped work around Alaiko village, Ifon-Osun in Orolu Local Government of Osun State. So, 37 Kilometres of the road is yet to be done and remains untouched.
“While we acknowledge the President’s genuine intention to improve Nigeria’s infrastructure, it is essential to reflect the project’s status accurately. The Ilobu/Ifon-Erinle Road project has been a long-awaited development for the communities it serves, and its completion would significantly enhance connectivity and economic opportunities.
“We urge President Tinubu to prioritise the completion of this critical infrastructure project. Also, we challenge Mr. President and the Minister for Works to verify the half-truth that might have been reported to them about the