Residents and spare parts dealers were full of praises for Senator Kola Balogun during the inspection of the ongoing reconstruction of the Omitade/Onipasan Road, leading to the Araromi Market, Agodi Gate in Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, on Friday.
The reconstruction work, handled by a construction firm, FSK Nigeria Limited, was facilitated by Senator Balogun, representing Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
The federal lawmaker led his team, including the president of SDM Group, Prince Niran Adeyoju, Asiwaju Omilabu Gandhi, Chief Mrs Funmilayo Arulogun, Honourable Abiola Ayorinde, Honourable Niyi Ajani and Dr Adebayo Hamzaat, on the inspection tour.
Engineer Kehinde Osunkoya, the chairman of FSK Nigeria Limited, the construction company handling the project, led his team on the tour.
While work has been completed on the Omitade end of the road, work is ongoing on the Onipasan portion, even as the engineer handling the project, Mr Kola Oladejo, assured that the entire work, including the bridge leading to the market, would be completed within two months.
Senator Balogun urged the residents, spare parts dealers and traders around the market to put the road into good use, and admonished them to ensure its proper maintenance.
Speaking on the newly-reconstructed Omitade Road, Alhaji Qozeem Olayiwola (Olakas & Co), the Osupa Adinni of Ibadanland, said it would enhance and make easier trading activities in and around Araromi Market.
“I did not even know the person behind the project until when you came for the inspection today. But we have been praying for whoever that is behind it.
“The effort is very commendable. This is because we know that the road would is to our own benefit. It will greatly make our trading activities more easier.
“Before now, we have been finding it difficult to engage in trading because of dust. But now that the road has been reconstructed, things will be very easy for us. Elimination of dust alone will enhance trading.
“The effort is very encouraging and highly commendable. We appreciate Senator Kola Balogun for this. I can assure you that the road would be put in good use and its maintenance is our responsibility.
“We would continue to assist Senator Balogun with our prayers. We want people like him in power. If we have more of responsible like him in public offices, we the people will not be bothered about whatever is happening in the corridors of power,” he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Okunola Duduyemi, a public secondary school teacher, could not hide her joy as she said she didn’t know that the Omitade Road was wide until the reconstruction work.
“I never knew before now that the road is as wide as this. I don’t know Senator Kola Balogun; I have never meet him in person, but I have been hearing about him and his good works.
“As he brings relief and happiness to the residents and various spare dealers and traders around this market, God will reward him and we would continue to pray for his progress,” she said.
Engineer Kola Oladejo assured that the bridge leading to Araromi Market would be repaired and the road would be extended by 10 metres beyond the bridge.
“The additional work asked for by Senator Balogun would be done, up to the bridge and 10 metres beyond. We would come for its inspection.
It would take 28 days for the first set of layers on that portion to be solidify. Thereafter, we would lay the last layer in another four days and the bridge would be delivered for the use of the people,” he said.
