Ladoja Comments As Makinde Names Ibadan Circular Road After Ex - Governor

Moronfoluwa Adedeji, Kehinde Ayanboade,

Ibadan.

Former Governor of Oyo State, Sen. Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja has on Thursday given his comments as Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde names Ibadan Circular Road with his name in commemoration of his 78th birthday.

Recall that the first phase of the 32km Ibadan Circular Road was flagged off today by Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue state.

The elder statesman who doubles as the Otun Olubadan of Ibadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja in his comment revealed why the 110km road designed by his administration in 2004 was halted by his successor.

 

According to him, his administration did the design, acquired the needed land and paid compensations all in tune of one billion naira.

The Otun Olubadan alleged that the N4 billion earmarked for the commencement of the project was diverted for construction of Mokola to Agodi- gate dualisation  after he left office.

 

He said: “I don’t no what to say and where to start from, I am very happy to be here because I’m involved in all that is happening today.I was told this land was earmarked for a trailer park, I decided to change it as a result of an hospital that i just commissioned.”

“This is the history of the circular road, when I came in, we paid N500m for the design, N4b was earmarked for it commencement. We completed the design, acquired the land and paid compensation.”

 

“My impeachment delayed the take off. We contracted the stretch to two contractors, we paid N1b. Various governments come to office for various reasons, the money was diverted, the money was used for molete to Mokola and mokola to Agodi gate dualisation.”

 

He commended Governor Makinde for the honour bestowed on him, adding that he appreciates the governor for completing some abandoned projects like the Ijaiye asphalt plant, the circular road and many more projects in the state.

Speaking at the event, Governor Seyi Makinde said the projects were done to celebrate an elder statesman who he said has contributed immensely to the development of Oyo State.

“Senator Ladoja’s significant contribution to the development of Oyo state, he said, cannot be overstated, and the occasion is about honoring those who deserve it.”

The governor equally declared that the project, conceived by Sen. Ladoja’s administration, will be named after the former Governor, stating that when the road is completed, it will boost the economic activities of the pacesetter state and increase the revenue base of the state.

The event, which was held at kilometer 8, Lagos-Ibadan express road, had in attendance Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state, Deputy Governor of Oyo State; Barrister Abdulraheem Lawal, Olubadan of Ibadan land; Oba Dr. Senator Lekan Balogun, Okere of Saki; Oba Khalid Olabisi, Olugbon of Orile Igbon; Oba Francis Alao and top government functionaries.