Acting Governor, Adebayo Lawal of Oyo State, has disclosed that the Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport upgrade will be ready for takeoff and landing in the next two or three weeks. Additionally, Lawal stated that the ongoing Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road project would be completed within the next two to three months.
The acting governor made this known on Monday during inspection visits to the ongoing Senator Rashidi Ladoja Circular Road project and the upgrade of the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport to an international airport.
Describing the two projects as legacy projects that underscore Governor Seyi Makinde’s commitment to building infrastructure that supports the administration’s economic expansion agenda, Lawal expressed satisfaction with the quality of the projects and their pace.
He maintained that, based on the assessment and the opinions of experts, the international airport should be ready for take-off and landing within the next two to three weeks, while the first segment of the Circular Road will be ready within the next two to three months. The Acting Governor declared that the government would continue to engage with the contractors so that they do not relax or rest on their laurels, as the administration would continue to demonstrate its commitment to the projects through adequate funding.
He said, “We have legacy projects that are ongoing, the international airport and the Ibadan Circular Road. First, we were at the international airport. By inspection and assessment, as well as the opinions of experts, we have achieved approximately 75-76 per cent, meaning that, within the next two to three weeks, the international airport will be ready, at least, for the landing and takeoff of aircraft, which is a major accomplishment of this particular project.
“The other things to be fixed on the international airport are the marking, which they describe as runway dressing, and then to fix the instrument landing system so that aircraft can take off and land at night.
”Then, they will do the window or wings of the runway, which will be fixed in no distant time. The main runway of the international airport has been done, and we are satisfied with the inspection that we have carried out at that particular facility.
“Now, this is the East Wing of the circular road, which spans about 32.5km. Again, I must say that it is a legacy project that people will come into Oyo State to see, and they will appreciate the efforts of the Oyo State Government in fixing infrastructure.
“I dare say that we are satisfied with what we have seen. The contractors are really doing the job in accordance with specifications, as well as speed and timing. We are hoping that the delivery of this project will come within the time frame.
“You have seen the hydraulic bridges, culverts, pure civil engineering works, and we are satisfied with the standard we met on the ground.
“We will continue to engage the contractors so that they will be on their toes. They must not rest on their oars. We are committed to the projects by ensuring that by the end of this year, we believe, the two projects will be delivered. In fact, the airport will be delivered in the next month. And the Circular Road, in the next three months, will also be delivered.”
Responding to a question on whether the Ibadan Airport would be open for travellers attending the Olubadan coronation event, the acting governor said the contractors would not be preempted, as they would advise on the usability of the facility.
