As part of measures to compliment the efforts of the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State, a group, the Congress of Progressive Youths (COPY), flagged off the grading of 500 kilometres roads network across all the 67 Local Governments, Local Council Development Areas and Area Councils across the state.

The grading of the roads, an initiative of COPY and sponsored by Hansmag Nigeria Limited, under the authority of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Prince Awofirayo, was geared towards massive intervention on access and link roads, to support the efforts of the state government in boosting security and increase socio-economic well-being of residents of the state.

Speaking at the formal flag-off ceremony in Ile-Ife, Hon. Ajibola Famurewa, said the exercise was one of a kind and should be imitated by well-meaning individuals as a means of giving back to the society and supporting a functioning government.

“This remarkable feat is not only an eloquent confirmation of a kind, philanthropic gesture but also a testimony of the popular saying that no meaningful development would happen to a people unless they are willing to change the state of things, first by themselves, before looking up to the government,” Famurewa said.

Similarly, the Deputy State Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Tajudeen Lawal, expressed delight at the giant stride recorded by COPY and Hansmag Nigeria Limited who are the facilitator and the sponsor of the massive grading exercise respectively.

He said it was a great thing for the people to have recognized the fact that the government alone cannot shoulder the burden of development and take steps to assist the government by investing huge amounts of money in community development.

Lawal equally expressed joy that Ile-Ife, being the source of the Yorubas, was chosen as the starting point of the project.

In his remark, the Project Manager of Hansmag Nigeria Limited, stressed that the grading of the 500 kilometers of roads was a glorious dawn for community development in Osun State as exemplified through the inclusive governance of Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s administration and the goodwill of the citizens of the state.

“This means that the motorable road network in our state will increase by 500 kilometers by the end of the grading exercise. This is being done to improve the security of our neighbourhoods, allow for ease of access to inner communities while enhancing economic activities.

“At a time the national economy is facing financial challenges, the Oyetola’s administration is able to inject over N19b into the economy of our state through various infrastructural and economic development initiatives, thereby stimulating employment and engaging the business sector,” Mr Aderinto,” Director-General of COPY said.

He said Aladanla Line 1 in Ife Central-West LCDA, which was the first to be graded, was one of the community-driven projects, adding that the road was picked as the first to be graded in appreciation of the support of the people of Ile-Ife for the Progressive Party.

The Chairman of the community also expressed his joy that his community was chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the project. He then prayed for the sustenance of the current administration and pledged the support of the people of his community for the government of the day.

The flag-off was graced by eminent dignitaries from all works of life, among whom were Dr Ayanfe Olokoobi, Hon. Marcus Adedini, Hon Shayo Adeshina (Vice Chairman, Ife Central West LCDA), Hon Oke Lawal, Engr Ismail Adigun (MD/CEO Adismart Engineering Limited), Alhaji Kazeem Badiru (P.A to Governor Oyetola on Political Matters), State Executives and Local Ambassadors of COPY, members of APC, community leaders.