The Kwara State Government has commissioned the N 42.5 million Ohan Bailey Bridge project along Ilorin-Igbeti road, even as he assured Kwarans that it will continue to upgrade deplorable federal roads in the state to enhance economic activities of the people.?
The Commissioner for Works and Transport in the state, Dr. Abubakar Kannike, who commissioned the bridge reinstated government's commitment to making life meaningful to various communities in the State.
“To successfully implement our agricultural revolution, we are irrevocably committed to opening up the rural areas and linking communities for easy movement. No community would be left out,” the commissioner reaffirmed.
According to him, “The Bridge constructed 40 years ago by the Nigerian Army Engineers collapsed in 2009, causing undue hardship to motorists and indeed the community.”
While giving a total estimate of the cost of the project, Dr. Kannike stressed that the bridge which linked Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, with the Northern part of Oyo North was reconstructed with about N 42.5 million.
The commissioner stated further that the state government was? also working on some federal roads, including Chikanda-Kosubosu-Okuta-Ilesha Baruba to Oyo State border road, Patigi-Kpada road, damaged portions between Eiyenkorin-Oko Olowo, which cut off the federal road and the dualization of some federal roads leading to Ilorin, the state capital.
Dr. Kannike commended the Engineers of the Nigerian Army for the prompt completion of the project and also appealed to the federal government to upgrade other federal roads in the state.
Speaking at the occasion, the Commander, 22nd Armoured Brigade, Sobi Cantonment, Ilorin, Brig. Gen. S.B Bello, said the reconstruction of the bridge was completed within the eleven weeks time line, and described the exercise as the new trend in civil/military relationship initiated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. O.A Ihejirika.