Ogbomoso - Oyo new highway: 'We're committed to Sept 2026 deadline' (PHOTOS)

Ogbomoso – Oyo new highway: ‘We’re committed to Sept 2026 deadline’ (PHOTOS)

Jeremiah OYELEKE

Workers of JRB Construction Company Ltd handling the Ogbomoso – Oyo new four-lane road have reiterated that they are committed to the completion of the road project by September 2026 as promised.

Recall the contractor during a visit to the project site by journalists July 1, expressed confidence they would meet the 18-month timeframe of completion which is September 2026.

ogbomosoinsightonline.com was at the site Friday at the Federal Government College end to monitor the progress of work and it was found out it was unraveling at an impressive rate.

“Yes, we are motivated to finish the project according to schedule,” a worker who however begged for anonymity because he was not authorised to speak informed. “You can see the rate at which work is going, we are bound to meet up with the deadline.”

This is another worker who also did not give his name assured quality work is being executed, adding, “The bridge over the river near the Federal Government College overhead bridge is completed, its top is being reinforced with laterite and compacted. Then at the Federal Government College overhead bridge itself the underpass is now through from the Ilorin end, as you can see. It is significant. We are being monitored and supervised to ensure quality work, which we are committed to.”

He affirmed the project is being executed “in strict compliance with the approved engineering standards, technical specifications, and best practices as prescribed by the Federal Ministry of Works.”

He further informed that construction materials, including lateritic sub-base, are rigorously tested in the laboratory.

“These procedures are guided by the Federal Ministry of Works Standards and Specifications and the Standard Conditions of Contract,” he maintained.

Ogbomoso Insight reports that the contract for the construction of the Ibadan – Ilorin dual carriageway was originally awarded in 2001 during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo. But while the Ogbomoso – Ilorin and Oyo – Ibadan sections were opened to traffic about 15 years ago, the Ogbomoso – Oyo section has remained uncompleted. The old single lane road thus became strained and a death trap leading to series of outcry from residents of Ogbomoso and road users generally thus President Bola Tinubu re-awarded the 52 kilometres road contract to JRB Construction Company Ltd in March this year after terminating the contract with Reynolds Construction Company RCC.

Meanwhile, the concern remains that the contractor delivers a quality and durable road against the backdrop of it being an indigenous firm.