Passport office Ogbomoso: New breath as organization now spearheads construction project
Yinka ADETUNJI
After initial stalemate the construction of the passport office allocated to Ogbomoso Oyo state by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) is finally taking off.
ogbomosoinsightonline.com can now inform authoritatively that the office complex will be ready in two months.
This is according to Alhaji Bukola Badmus, a leader of Ogbomoso Parapo Worldwide, the socio-cultural organization now supervising the project.
There has been anxiety as the community failed to fulfill the condition of the project earlier which is providing the office complex, moreover when news of commissioning of similar projects awarded at about the same time were undertaken by sister communities of Oyo and Ilesa weeks ago by immediate past Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.
Questions were asked with many blaming the delay on the “usual lackadaisical, uncoordinated attitude of our leaders in Ogbomoso.”
ogbomosoinsightonline reported that Ogbomoso North local government which was a party in facilitating the project initially assumed the mantle of coordinating the construction project, which basically is acquiring land, sourcing fund and supervising the building project.
“Ogbomoso Parapo has now assumed that responsibility,” Alhaji Badmus began during a telephone chat.
“Ogbomoso North local government took up the matter initially but we have taken over, we will coordinate and supervise the project now.”
Asked if the issue of the site had been settled he replied in the affirmative.
Previously, Ogbomoso North local government was working on locating the project on a parcel of land within the Oyo State International Market complex, Ogbomoso, opposite LAUTECH, but bureaucratic complications frustrated the process as the land belongs to the Oyo state Ministry of Trade and Commerce.
“No, we are not using that place again, we have acquired a new location near Yanyan Cattle Market off Ogbomoso-Ilorin highway at the Federal Government College axis.
“There was unnecessary delay over the release of the land at the International Market and so we have acquired a new one. The association even released money (about N600, 000) to Ogbomoso North local government for clearing of land at the previous proposed location but nothing was done, the money has though been recovered.”
On level of work he disclosed, “The project has now picked up. In two months the building should be ready. We sent architects to look over the one in Ilesa (Osun state) and the model has been sketched except that we are making our own bigger.
“The surveying has been undertaken. Construction will begin any moment now. It will be on an acre of land.”
He further informed that they had received donations of building materials from two philanthropists.
“Prince Abisoye Oyewumi (a son of late Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III), donated 10, 000 units of blocks while Alhaji Monsur Lamidi (Ejide) gave us 1, 000 bags of cement. There are other promises too from individuals and associations. In two months the project should be complete, l assure.”
When Ogbomoso Insight visited the site Friday (June 16), the one acre land allocated for the facility had been cleared of vegetations and workmen were also seen moulding blocks, an indication that life has been breathed into the project.
Meanwhile the passport office is aimed at making acquisition of the Nigerian international passport easier for more travellers.
It will ensure passport application and processing become more seamless for the travelling public with the rollout of the enhanced Nigerian e-passport.
Residents of Ogbomoso and environs seeking to travel abroad wouldn’t need to travel to cities like Ibadan, Ilorin and elsewhere any longer for their passport issuance (new or renewal) as these will now be available within the city once the new passport facility begins operation.
