Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has issued a stop work order in respect of the construction of the Ibadan circular road project awarded in May 2017.

The Governor, who paid a visit to the site of the Circular Road, off the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, said that the road is meant to connect the Lagos-Ibadan expressway to the Ibadan/Ife expressway, adding that work should stop with immediate effect.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted Governor Makinde as deploring the discouraging pace of work at the site, during an inspection tour to the site at the Ibadan-Lagos expressway axis.

The Governor emphasised the significance of the Circular Road, declaring that the road was of utmost importance to the economy of Oyo state.

He also stated that his administration remained determined to build infrastructures that will help to expand the economy of the State.

He said: “Basically, what we saw was not encouraging. The agreement was signed in 2017, almost three years now. The work done so far was at 5 per cent or 5.5 per cent. Also, this was a concession of about N65 billion for a 32-kilometre road. We just felt we need to pull back a little bit, look at things holistically and then take a decision in order to move forward.

“The circular road is extremely important to the economy of Oyo State and if a contractor can only achieve 5 per cent in three years, you can imagine how many years it will take to complete the road.”

It would be recalled that the 32-kilometre road was awarded by the immediate past administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi at the cost of N67 billion.

While speaking at site, Governor Makinde expressed disappointment and dissatisfaction at the level of work done by the contractor, ENL Consortium Limited, saying he was unhappy and unimpressed with what he observed on the site.

•PHOTO: From right, Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde; Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Oyelowo Oyewo; Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Olubamiwo Adeosun; Commissioner for Works, Prof Raphael Afonja and Executive Director, ENL Consortium LTD, Dr Kemi George during the governor inspection of Ibadan circular road along Lagos-Ibadan bye pass. PHOTO: Oyo State Government.

Update news