Oyo Drives Infrastructure Development Through APFA
Oyo State government has embarked on the construction of Oyo-Iseyin Road, a major project in the state. The government stated that the rehabilitation was essential as it would become a vital link between the farming communities of Oke-Ogun and Oyo, providing the much-needed market linkage between these zones.
The construction, which was originally billed to cost N8.4 billion, was increased to N9.9 billion last month. The state government explained that the increment was as a result of requirements by the Federal Government. According to Gov. Seyi Makinde, “This is a federal road being reconstructed by the Oyo State Government. So, after consultation with the federal government, we were given specifications to comply with. For example, we had to increase the width of the road from 10.75m to 12.75m to meet with the federal government specifications"
The Oyo-Iseyin Road due to be completed in seven month will cost N9.9 billion, while the dualisation of the Airport Road and several adjoining roads totalling 10.82 kilometres will cost N4.9 billion.
The government assured that the project would not strain the economy of the state, adding that the road would be built by Messrs Kopek Construction, through the Alternate Project Funding Approach (APFA). “We are executing the project using the Alternate Project Funding Approach (APFA),” Makinde said.
“Let me take a few minutes to talk about our approach to executing projects in Oyo State. Some people are confused as to how we are still flagging off projects when some states are finding it difficult to pay salaries. They do not understand how we are raising Oyo State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), building our economy and engineering a modern Oyo State. The governor further said there is no need for hidden debt. The projects is the Alternate Project Funding Approach (APFA). The process has always been transparent from take-off.
“With APFA, the contractor funds the project, and we pay back over an agreed period of time.
“And let me make this clear: you have my word that not one Naira will be left unpaid to any contractor under APFA at the end of our current tenure.
“For example, for this project, which was awarded in June this year, the repayment period is seventeen (17) months. This means that the project will be completed before all the repayments are made. However, the last repayment will be made by December 2022.
“So, do not allow anyone to confuse you. Road construction is a big part of our engineering in modern Oyo State. The building of roads forms the foundation of the development of all other sectors of the four pillars of our governance as clearly outlined in our Roadmap to Accelerated Development in Oyo State, 2019-2023.
“You need good roads to drive to healthcare centres. Without good roads, our children cannot go to school. How will our farmers get to the markets if the roads are bad? And no matter how many vehicles we give to security agencies, how will they be able to get to people in trouble when the roads are bad?
“So, we will continue to build a viable road network for our dear state. This is the path to sustainable development.”
The government revealed that inner roads are being fixed by the Oyo State Ministry of Works, Infrastructure and Transportation, working with the local government authorities. It reassured that the whole exercise is geared towards engineering a modern Oyo State, building structures and systems that will lead to sustainable development.
Challenging Factors:
Insecurity, excesses of revenue officials, poor electricity supply, deplorable road network.