…Expresses gratitude to Gov Makinde
By Adeyinka Adeniran
An Ibadan based construction giant , Kopek Construction Limited has declared that it cannot afford to disappoint the government and people of Oyo State in terms of ensuring quality and durable job .
The construction firm also expressed deep gratitude to the governor of the state, Engr Seyi Makinde for the rare privilege to be part of the ongoing massive infrastructural development in the state.
The Managing Director, Kopek Construction Limited, Engr Issam Feghali disclosed this while reacting to questions from journalists during the commissioning of the of 38.48 kilometre feeder roads rehabilitated in Ibadan metropolis, held at former D’Rovans Hotel Bus Stop, Ring Road, Ibadan.
According to him, the company must put in all it takes to ensure quality and durable job in the state .
The Kopek Construction Limited boss affirmed that Oyo state remains their home and must continue to deliver quality job , adding that since 1988 the company has earned a reputation for delivering quality job all over the country .
He said ” Let me tell you something definitely Kopek Construction Limited, since it was established in 1988 , it is known for its quality job and we deliver on time, speedy job and quality job which stands test of time .
” At the same time, we are part of Oyo State, we are indigenous company, we are based in Ibadan, this is our place and we believe we are doing the job for ourselves, our neighbours, friends and brothers. ”
Speaking on the challenges faced during the road rehabilitation , Engr. Issam noted that diverting traffic while working in a city like Ibadan that is highly populated was not easy.
” Well, that is a big challenge , when you’re working in a big city like Ibadan, highly populated, definitely you will have challenges. When you’re diverting the traffic on major roads, and you have to create space for you to work, well its a big challenge for us and at the same time for the citizens , even though the people are not finding it easy , we appreciate them for their cooperation and understanding, and we are doing our best to finish the work quickly so as not to prolong the job more than necessary,” he stated.
In his address, governor Seyi Makinde reaffirmed his commitment to expanding the economy of the state through road infrastructure and interconnectivity of rural and city centres.
The rehabilitated feeder roads fall within Ibadan South West, Ibadan North West and Ibadan South East Local Government Areas of the state capital out of the total lots of 95.58 kilometres awarded in December 2023.
The governor noted that feeder roads play significant roles in encouraging businesses, improving economy and making residents happier, assuring that the rehabilitation of inner roads would be extended to other zones of the state in the third quarter of the year.
He reiterated that the road leading to Ikere Gorge Dam from Iseyin would be constructed before the end of his administration.
The governor also directed that the road stretch from Bode to Challenge as well as the whole of Felele Straight and Felele RAB, which were not earlier slated for reconstruction, should be included in the list of roads to be reconstructed.
Makinde said, “As a government, our job is to do our best with the little resources we have to keep the residents happy and attract more people to come to our state. This is the way we grow our economy. We also acknowledge that we do not have all the resources at our disposal. So, we cannot meet all our needs at the same time.
“This commissioning today will be the first of many. Our administration earmarked an initial 95.58km of feeder roads for asphaltic improvement and reconstruction in December 2023. This is just half-way through it and they are to be completed within 12 months.
“We are now in July with over 38km completed and the remaining 57km ongoing. So, I can rightly say we are over half-way done.
“When we assumed office, I spoke about our plans and direction that we wanted to go with construction, many people did not understand it. But I need to also say that I feel embarrassed every time I have to come out to say we are commissioning roads. This, ideally, is something that should be routine, because we have bigger things to do.
“Also, we look forward to rehabilitating more roads within the state and I can say today that we are in Ibadan zone. There will be a phase two of this project, which will be in other zones of the state. And we will start by the end of third quarter of this year. So, we are coming.
“One road that I know I will do before I leave this state is Iseyin-Ikere Gorge Dam. I am saying this publicly and I want our people in various zones to hold me responsible to this promise I just made.
“Let me also reaffirm our commitment to moving our people from poverty to prosperity through interconnectivity and road constructions. We are determined to lay the right foundations so that whoever is coming after us will build on the template.
“That is why we will keep working. The benefits of some of the projects we are doing will immediately manifest but others are long-term. We only ask that you join us in staying with the vision.
“All the roads we have fixed are also coming with solar streetlights. From Oke-Adu to Aremo to Olorunsogo, we will install streetlights there.”
Governor Makinde added that though his administration has done so much in building roads, it would be most remembered for the institutions it has put in place to ensure good governance.
Earlier in his welcome address, the state’s Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Professor Dahud Kehinde Shangodoyin, said the 38.48 kilometres rehabilitated feeder roads in Ibadan metropolis, which is 40.3 percent of the entire 95.58 kilometres awarded in December 2023, has helped to improve traffic flow within the metropolis, culminating in reduction in traffic congestion and also reducing travel time.
He stated that in total, the Makinde administration has fixed 330.29km of roads under Omituntun 1.0 and Omituntun 2.0, connecting all zones of the state while also attending to feeder roads.
In their separate goodwill messages, the South-West People’s Democratic Party Women Leader, Alhaja Bosede Adedibu and the Chairmen of Ibadan North East and Ibadan South West Local Governments, Mr Ibrahim Akintayo and Mr Kehinde Akande, appreciated Governor Makinde for always prioritising the interest and welfare of the people of the state.
In his vote of thanks, the Chairman, Oyo State Advisory Council, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), commended the governor for making governance easy and seamless through various infrastructural development despite the meagre resources.
