By Precious Oluwole

The Ondo State House of Assembly has described infrastructure as one of the basic and essential services that could be put in place for the overall development of the society.

It therefore pledged to continue to support any moves that will boost the infrastructural development of the State.

The House Committee on Works led by its Chairman, Hon. Moyinolorun Ogunwumiju stated these during a visit to the State Ministry of Lands and Infrastructure in Akure.

The Committee described infrastrutural development as one of the areas where any government can boost its economic growth, provide jobs and improve the overall well being of its citizenry.

According to the Chairman who is also the parliamentary Secretary of the House, the visit became imperative after the inauguration of new standing committees to get acquinted with the management of the Ministry and ensure robust relationship so as to continue to deliver on its mandate.

He also appreciated the Commissioner of the Ministry, Engr. Raimi Aminu, for bringing his wealth of experience to bear in driving the sector to the next level, encouraging the Management to do more.

The lawmaker who applauded the Ministry for the intervention in some federal roads in the State which have created hazard, assured of the 10th Assembly’s support to fast-track rapid development in the State

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Commissioner of the Ministry, Raimi Aminu who expressed appreciation to the committee for the visit,0 sought for symbiotic relationship and pledged to continue to do what is expected of them.

While highlighting some of the projects executed under the present administration, he said more than 60 projects were awarded across the 18 Local Government areas of the state, with more than 80 percent completed while others are ongoing.

The Commissioner informed that the present administration does not have record of abandoned projects oweing to the fact that it paid contractors based on satified projects.

He stated further that the direct labour of the Ministry has also been very active, with cheaper and quick execution of projects.

In his words,” From Akoko to Akure through Ondo to Ilaje, roads are being constructed, rehabilitated, and reconstructed in all the three Senatorial Districts without any one abandoned due to the ingenuity of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who devised means of awarding contracts without the payment of mobilisation fee, hence, none of the contracts is abandoned.

“Direct Labour unit of the Ministry is a training ground for staff and responsible for some major and minor repairs of some roads in the State, whose works are cheaper and quicker than contractors, while the Project unit is in charge of projects awarded to contractors.

He added that the beauty of it is that government picked road construction based on people’s need, saying that they have been enjoying robust relationship with contractors because of the political will of the present government.