Remarks at the Flag-Off of the ‘Light Up Oyo’ Project (Phase Two) and the Reconstruction of Under G-Stadium-LAUTECH-2nd Gate Road, Ogbomoso (3 Kilometres)

It gives me great joy to be here today to flag-off the second phase of the ‘Light Up Oyo’ Project. The project is dear to this administration as it ties in with two of the four pillars of our Roadmap to Accelerated Development in Oyo State 2019-2023 – Security and the Economy.

The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) is at the heart of economic activities in Ogbomoso land and we want the students and those who conduct businesses in the school to be able to move between LAUTECH and the town. That is why the Under G-Stadium-LAUTECH-2nd Gate road reconstruction is economically important.

When we began this journey in September 2019, the first phase was expected to cover Ibadan alone. I remember it was even called ‘Light Up Ibadan’ leading some to erroneously think that only the state capital would eventually enjoy street lights.
Well, that was not our plan. So today, we will be kicking off phase two of the ‘Light Up Oyo’ Project.

We cannot overemphasise the importance of street lights to our state security and the economy. Even the bible says that darkness and light cannot exist together. And we know that criminals like to operate in the dark. When the streets are lighted up, it gives residents a sense of security.

Also, street lights mean that economic activities can be carried out for longer periods. Who says we cannot have 24-hour restaurants, petrol stations and other businesses in Oyo State as happens in other cities worldwide? These developments start with basic infrastructure such as street lights.

As we kick off this project, permit me to give you an update on ‘Light Up Oyo’ Phase one which covered Ibadan, as I stated earlier. If you drive around Ibadan at night, you will notice that most of the streets are well lit. Some pictures were even shared on social media by people who are impressed by the project. The lights used are energy saving and also the cost of maintenance is low.
Well, we are still at 87.5% completion of the project. I believe that the contractors will finish up now that COVID-19 restrictions on international travel will soon be lifted.

They say the reward for a good job is more work. And so, this second phase will still be handled by the same contractor. Messrs Ledco Allied Enterprises. They brought their impeccable track record to bear in carrying out phase one of the project. The smart LED street lighting technology they used for phase one was first of its kind in Oyo State in terms of the magnitude of deployment, efficiency and financial commitment. So, we want to continue in that routine.

Operation ‘Light up Oyo’ State Phase Two, will cost Twenty Eight Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty Million, Nine Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand, Six Hundred and Nine Naira, Seventy Six Kobo. (N28,360,975,609.76). The original proposed costing was thirty billion Naira (N30 billion) but after it passed through our Bureau of Public Procurement, it was vetted down. So, thank you BPP for saving us over one billion naira.

The contract will be financed through Contractor’s Project Financing Scheme with the Oyo State Government contributing initial counterpart fund of Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Thirty-Six Million, Ninety-Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Sixty Naira, Ninety-Seven Kobo. (N2,836,097,560.97).

The areas covered will include selected roads across all the geopolitical zones of Oyo State totalling 223.48 Kilometres. We expect that the contract will be completed in nine months.
Since the contractor will be financing the project with his own funds, we will commence refunds after each 50 Kilometres of road has been illuminated. So, there is a moratorium of one hundred and twenty (120) days before repayment commences.

We have entered an agreement with them that payment will span over a period of 84 months, that is seven years.

It is therefore my privilege to flag off the ‘Light Up Oyo’ Project Phase Two and the reconstruction of Under G-Stadium-LAUTECH-2nd Gate Road, Ogbomoso (3 kilometres), to the Glory of God and the benefit of the good people of Oyo State.

~ Governor Seyi Makinde, September 2, 2020