Ojudu tackles FG over Akure-Ado Ekiti road downgrade

Former presidential aide Babafemi Ojudu has publicly questioned the Federal Government's handling of the Akure-Ado Ekiti dual carriageway project, expressing disappointment that a refurbished single carriageway was delivered instead of the contracted dualization.

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A refurbished single carriageway cannot quietly be substituted for a dual carriageway without an explanation.

Ojudu detailed the project's history, stating it was initially awarded as a dual carriageway, then cancelled, and re-awarded by the Federal Executive Council in March 2023 for approximately N95.98 billion. He specified the contract amounts and awarded companies for different sections of the 50-kilometer project, noting completion periods of 24 and 30 months. The project was formally flagged off in May 2023.

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The people deserve to know what was awarded, what has been paid for, what has been delivered and what became of the rest of the project.

"A refurbished single carriageway cannot quietly be substituted for a dual carriageway without an explanation," Ojudu stated, addressing the Minister of Works, David Umahi. He emphasized that the public deserves to know what was awarded, paid for, delivered, and what happened to the rest of the project. Ojudu highlighted the road's critical importance to the economic and social life of Ondo and Ekiti states, expressing concern that it might fall into the "familiar fog of abandoned contracts, altered specifications and official silence."

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This road is too important to the economic and social life of Ondo and Ekiti states to disappear into the familiar fog of abandoned contracts, altered specifications and official silence.

He recounted the initial excitement when contractors mobilized and began constructing bridges and earthworks for a dual carriageway, only to see the proposed second carriageway abandoned. "We are now left with bridges and earthworks prepared for a dual carriageway, but only a single carriageway to show for the enormous contract awarded," Ojudu said, demanding clear answers from the Minister.

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We are now left with bridges and earthworks prepared for a dual carriageway, but only a single carriageway to show for the enormous contract awarded.