A fresh controversy has emerged over the approval of the Ore-Ondo-Akure Federal Road dualization, as stakeholders on Thursday, disputed claims regarding who should be credited for the project’s initiation and approval.
A recent statement by Mr. Bolarinde Akinloye, the Senior Legislative Aide (SLA) to Senator Adeniyi Adegbonmire, has sparked reactions, particularly over assertions that the Senator played a pivotal role in securing approval for the highly anticipated road project.
However, political observers and concerned stakeholders argue that the journey to the project’s approval was set in motion long before the emergence of Senator Adegbonmire in the 10th National Assembly. The foundation for the dualization of the federal road was laid during the 9th Assembly, with Hon. Abiola Peter Makinde, representing Ondo East/West Federal Constituency, being a key proponent of the initiative.
According to sources familiar with the legislative process, Hon. Makinde had, during the 9th Assembly, articulated the urgent need for the dualization of the road and subsequently sponsored a bill for its construction. This move, they argue, was instrumental in placing the project on the federal government’s radar, leading to its eventual approval.
While acknowledging Senator Adegbonmire’s contributions towards ensuring the final approval of the project, stakeholders insist that it is unfair to overlook the foundational efforts of Hon. Makinde and other lawmakers who worked tirelessly in the previous legislative session to push for the road’s dualization. They argue that the project’s success is a testament to collaborative legislative efforts rather than an individual achievement.
Similarly, another misrepresentation of facts regarding a separate legislative initiative has been highlighted. The bill for the upgrade of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, to a University of Education, was previously attributed to Hon. Joseph Akinlaja, a former lawmaker representing Ondo East/West Federal Constituency. However, records indicate that the bill was, in fact, sponsored and pursued by Hon. Abiola Peter Makinde, leading to its eventual approval and implementation.
With the political landscape heating up, stakeholders have urged for fairness and accuracy in recognizing the roles played by various lawmakers in securing critical infrastructural projects for Ondo State. As the dualization project moves towards implementation, they emphasize that its true success should be measured by its impact on reducing road mishaps and improving connectivity for residents and commuters.
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