The Federal Road Maintenance Engineer for Oyo State, Engr. Tunde Adepoju, has clarified widespread misconceptions surrounding the ongoing road project along the Elebu Junction–Oritamerin to Idi-Ayun axis in Ido Local Government Area, Oyo State.
Engr. Adepoju gave the clarification in an exclusive interview with westernmirror.com.ng on Thursday, July 10 in his office at the FERMA Head Office, Onireke in Ibadan.
According to him, the project, though approved by the federal government, is actually a state road and not under direct federal jurisdiction.
Westernmirror.com.ng reports that there have been widespread misconception surrounding the execution of the road project leading to speculations about its facilitator.
Engr. Adepoju, who heads the Oyo State field office of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), explained that the rehabilitation and partial construction of the 3km Elebu–Idi-Ayun road were both awarded in 2024 under federal constituency projects facilitated by Hon. Remi Oseni, the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency.
“The road in question is actually a state road, but it was in the lawmaker’s magnanimous wisdom that he routed the project through FERMA to ensure efficient execution,” Adepoju said.
He noted that two separate components of the project; rehabilitation and new construction, were approved by the Federal Government, with IGC Nigeria Limited contracted to execute the work.
The lawmaker, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on FERMA, was instrumental in facilitating the road works as part of his constituency intervention project across Ido Local Government.
Engr. Adepoju disclosed that although the road has been commonly referred to as a 3km stretch, actual field measurements confirmed it is 3.6km from Akala Junction to its endpoint.
He explained that cost estimates for full rehabilitation and construction run into significant figures due to rising costs of materials and labor.
“To fully complete the 3km road, a total of not less than ₦1.7 billion will be required. At the current rate, constructing just one meter of the road costs approximately ₦500,000,” he stated.
Of the total project length, only 436 meters have been completed to date – 75 meters under rehabilitation and 327 meters under new construction.
These segments were executed with an appropriation of ₦35 million, which according to Mr Adepoju, reflects severe funding limitations under the current budget cycle.
Engr. Adepoju also revealed that FERMA is currently overseeing additional projects in 14 different locations across Ido Local Government, including communities such as Apete and Awotan, with efforts aimed at improving mobility and access.
While commending the efforts of Hon. Remi Oseni, he called on other stakeholders including the state government and private sector actors to support the completion of the road project, which he described as critical for the socio-economic development of Ido.
He also assured that the relationship between FERMA and Oyo state government remains robust and cordial attributing the completion of the approved portion of the 3km road project to state government approval.
“Our job at FERMA is to monitor the contractor and ensure quality delivery. But with over 2,500 meters still left uncompleted, there is a need for collaborative intervention to bring the entire road project to fruition,” he concluded.