Residents of Ore, Ondo and Akure in Ondo State has applauded the lawmaker representing Ondo East/West Federal Constituency at the lower legislative chamber, Honourable Abiola Makinde for moving the motion at the floor of the house, leading to the the Federal Government approving the dualization of the Ore-Ondo-Akure highway.
The residents also thanked the lawmaker for moving several motions which according to them has contributed immensely to the growth and development of his constituency and Ondo State in general.
Cross section of people of Odigbo, Ondo, Ile/Oluji and Akure who spoke to Journalist during a visit to the area, thanked the lawmaker and the Federal Government over the construction of the old road and urged him to move more bills that will continue to affect the lives of the people of the area.
Recour that the lawmaker representing Ondo East/West federal constituency, Honourbale Abiola Makinde, in December 14th, 2021, moved a motion at the floor of the house compelling the Federal Government as a matter of urgency to approve the construction of Ore-Ondo-Akure highway.
According to the people the road which is one of the oldest road in the Southwest region of the country was constructed in 1976, during the military administration in the country.
The contractor handling the road recently mobilised to the site after an approval of the payment of about N153m, the amount which was also ratified by the Federal Executive Council.
Speaking on behalf of Odigbo Development Committee (ODC) Mr Igbekele Ayodele, thanked Honourable Abiola Makinde for moving the motion, the people equally thanked him for moving several motions that has positively affected the lives of the people since he became the representative of the area.
The ODC, who could not hide their joy, equally appreciated the lawmaker for moving a bill changing the status of Adeyemi College of Education to conventional University.
Describing any lawmaker claiming to have sponsored the bill as false and fake, the Odigbo group said Honourable Abiola is the only lawmaker from the area to have remembered to move a motion at the floor of the house for the dualization of the old road.
According to the people “when Adeyemi became a University, some lawmaker from the upper legislative house came out to claim the bill to have be the one that sponsored it . It was until we presented documents to disprove their claims that it was Honourble Abiola Makinde that moved the bill.
“Now, the construction of Ore-Ondo-Akure federal road dualization has kick-started, some people are out claiming the credit for it.
Honourable Makinde constituency office had worked assiduously and put the motion together to ensure the approval of the House of Representatives so that the Presidency and Ministry of Works can take it as priority.
“Remember that Hon Okwudili Christopher Eze Nwankwo, a member representing Orumba North/Orumba South Federal Constituency in Anambra State, seconded the motion and the whole House Members agreed to it. The then Speaker, now Chief of Staff to Mr President, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila equally commented on the motion immediately it was moved by Makinde.
“We thank him for his leadership, most especially in making sure it comes to reality. The Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja acted on the resolve of the House and approved N134b for the dualization of this road.
Speaking on the construction of the road and the agitation behind it, a Senior Legislative Aide to Makinde , Mr Adeniyi Adeyosoye, said the bill leading to the construction of the Ore-Ondo-Akure highway is one of the many bills moved and sponsored by his Principal since he became the representative of the people of the area.
He appreciates Hon. Festus Adefiranye, Member representing Odigbo Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Federal Constituency for moving similar motion in 2023 for the dualization of this road.
“I must also thank the ever-working Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa for demanding immediate action from the Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi, when he visited Ondo State in September, 2023.
“These are the people on official records that have made huge contributions to the realization of this ongoing project. Those spreading fake news need to stop and crosscheck facts.
“This was not a project “captured in the budget” as they claim. N134b is beyond what any Senate or House can pad in the budget on the basis of familiarity. Such project entails rigorous legislative work either as a motion passed by the House or Senate or may be at the discretion of the President as head of the Executive arm of government.