Being the remarks by His Excellency Seyi Makinde at the Flag Off of the 76.67km Ogbomoso-Fapote-Iseyin Road on Wednesday, May 18, 2022.
We are here today to flag-off of the 76.67km Ogbomoso-Fapote-Iseyin Road construction here in Ogbomoso. But before I go on with my remarks, let me stop and say a big thank you to my brother, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, His Excellency AbdulRasaq AbdulRahman. We are very happy that you could join us here today, especially as you are our next-door neighbour.
Many people may not know, but Oyo State shares a border with Kwara State here at Ogbomoso and so, this road is of vital economic importance to both states. When it comes to the facilitation of trade between the two states and the movement of agricultural produce, our farmers and other investors will be able to go from Iseyin all the way to Kwara through this route. Also, the road will facilitate easy commutes between the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) campuses in Ogbomoso and Iseyin.
As we always say, every project we embark on here in Oyo State, will have data and logic behind it. So, for those asking, this is the logic behind this road construction. We are facilitating both intracity and interstate movements.
It bears repeating that where roads go, development follows. And so, in our quest to continue in the work of engineering a modern Oyo State, we will continue executing road projects. Some people have come out to say we should focus on one section of the state and ensure it is developed. But this is not the path to sustainable development. As I have said in the past, we do not want to recreate the problem with Nigeria in Oyo State.
Today, we are talking about restructuring as the way forward for Nigeria because people in one section of the country believe that they are the ones creating all the wealth that people from the other sections are benefiting from. So here in Oyo State, we have chosen that we will develop all the zones in the state and the best way to do this is by creating an effective road network. In this way, we are leveraging our comparative advantage in agriculture.
Because of what good is it that our farmers are producing but they cannot move their produce to the market? Or that they have access to just local markets where only people from the same vicinity can buy, whereas they can get paid more when they are able to easily travel to larger markets not just within the state but also outside it.
Of course, this our view of expanding the economy through efficient road network may not be understood by many, especially those who do not have the interests of the people at heart. Or how else will you explain it that someone questioning the importance of the Airport-Ajia-New Ife Road with a spur to Amuloko and the Iseyin-Ogbomoso Road projects, saying they have little or no economic value to the state.
People of Ogbomoso, is this road of value?
What about our brothers in Iseyin, do you think this road is important?
So, we will continue to fulfill our mandate given to us by the people. We will not relent in all our efforts to move Oyo State to prosperity as we focus on protecting the interests of the good people of our dear state.
And on that note, I will give my brother, His Excellency, Governor AbdulRasaq AbdulRahman, the opportunity to speak to us and then we will proceed to flag off the 76.67Km Ogbomoso-Fapote-Iseyin Road project to the glory of God and for the benefit of the good people of Oyo State.
Thank you and God bless you.