INFRASTRUCTURE
1. Ensure safe, adequate and efficient transport infrastructure that can sustain the social and economic development of the state.
Governor Seyi Makinde is completing roads started by the previous administration as well as starting construction of new road projects. Top among which are the Moniya-Iseyin Road and Ibadan Circular Road (Which he met at 5% completion) He recently awarded 8 roads in all Zones and the Ministry of Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation is in the process of advertising an additional 9 roads. This includes the dualization of the airport road, rehabilitation of Apete-Awotan-Akufo road, and the completion Odo Ona Elewe Road (AKA Akala Way) that was abandoned by the previous administration.
The governor’s vision is to convert the existing domestic airport to a commercial airport.
In addition, the newly awarded bus terminals will not only create jobs for the youths, but it will also bring sanity to the transportation sector.
The issues of traffic congestion in Oyo State especially in the Ibadan metropolis is also being worked on through the improvement and expansion of some key junctions.
The government is also working on establishing trailer parks across the state for ease of movement of vehicles on the road and prevention of accidents on our roads.
The Seyi Makinde led administration’s open-door policy enabled a lot of communities to inform us that their communities have been cut off due to failed hydraulic structures. This led to the reconstruction of hydraulic structures in 4 zones across the state, through direct labor. The installation of streetlights in Ibadan under the ‘Light up Oyo’ project is being extended to other zones in the state in the second half of 2020. This impacts on safety and security.
2. Evolve a robust institutional and regulatory framework for the transport sector
Governor Seyi Makinde led administration has separated policy-making from transport management which is why TCC is an example of a state-owned company that runs the bus transportation. This allows them to run as a commercial entity within the framework set by the government.
The Park Management System is this administration’s creation to regulate the transport industry by making sure it is secured, transparent, and efficient. PMS was set up to bridge the gap between the commercial operators and the state.
3. Provide a steady and innovative financing scheme for the transport sector in Oyo State.
Since public funds are not sufficient to meet growing service-oriented demands for new and improved logistics, various private funding schemes are emerging. The governor is working on various Private Financing Initiative (PFI) methods to develop civil infrastructure, including additional roads and ports. The government will continue to develop the framework to encourage private sector involvement in the financing and operations of infrastructure.
4. Establish a consultative forum for constant interaction among all stakeholders in the transport industry, including private sector concerns and MDAs.
This administration has identified our stakeholders in the state and we have set goals for engaging them such as understanding their needs and how the government can provide a conducive environment that will make their business thrive. For Example, the Honourable Commissioner went around to meet with people in the cattle industry (Kara), and one of the things that they discussed was good road infrastructure and amenities for ease of business. Another issue is with the relationship between, revenue consultants, PMS, and commercial vehicle owners. Each group is adequately represented in conversations concerning the transport sector.
5. Provide adequate transport infrastructure and services for uniform socio-economic development in the state by embarking on reconstruction and rehabilitation of the existing roads and improving rural roads.
The Oyo State Government Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Programme was formulated, seeking to contribute to economic recovery by improving road access and connectivity, providing local employment opportunities, building skills among the involved workers and contractors and strengthening local capacities in the use of employment-intensive local resource-based (LRB) road construction and maintenance approaches. All of these will not only allow the communities to recover after COVID-19 but will strengthen the state’s economic development through increased access to social and economic opportunities.
6. Upgrading of rural feeders roads in all the 33 local government areas of the state.
The construction of 1000KM of rural access roads through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) will also contribute to the economic development of the state.
7. New roads to be built to enhance economic activities, promote rural-urban linkages and generally facilitate movement around the state.
The Moniya-Ijaye-Iseyin, Saki-Ogboro-Igboho road, Challenge-Odo Ona Elewe-Apete road, Apete-Awotan-Akufo, or the Eruwa road are some of the linkages that this administration has focused on to enhance the economic activities of this state. The policy of the government is that all roads must be properly done to stand the test of time with standard engineering designs and adequate provision for drainages.
8. Engage in private partnership to improve the road facilities.
This government is still in talks with the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria to establish which roads owned by the Oyo State Government in their corridors that we can partner on to rehabilitate. We have met on several occasions to establish this and work the modalities before we proceed.
9. Provision of modern equipment to the Road Maintenance Agency.
The State Government recently decentralized the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA) into zones to help increase their response and efficiency. To strengthen this agency, Governor Makinde has also approved the purchase of equipment that will be allocated and stationed in these newly established offices.
