Makinde made this declaration on Friday, in Ibadan, during the unveiling of the dualised 12.5-kilometre Challenge–Odo-Ona Elewe–Elebu–Apata Road.
The governor said that the road project was the government’s way of ushering in prosperity for the people of the state, and ensuring that they enjoyed the dividends of democracy.
Makinde also stated that the road would facilitate quick vehicular movements thereby saving useful man-hours spent in traffic, adding that good roads would attract developments.
He said: “And by the powers conferred on me, this dualised 12.5-kilometre Challenge–Odo-Ona Elewe–Elebu–Apata Road has now been named ‘Theophilus Akinyele Way’”
“To make Nigeria great is our collective responsibility. And we all must work together to make Nigeria working again. I repeat this will be the focus of myself and all the governors in the PDP in the weeks and months to come. So, I urge our people to remain hopeful, the tough times will soon be over.”
Speaking further, Makinde disclosed that the meeting the Peoples Democratic Party’s governors recently held in Abuja was focused on the economic hardship being faced by the people, adding that, “our focus at this time is helping our people overcome the challenges of the times.”
The governor used the event to announce an extension of the wage award payment to civil servants in the state by another six months, which he said, would allow government and workers the time to sort out what the minimum wage should be.
“When this economic crisis started, we gave wage awards to the workers. We gave them six months since October and I wanted that offer that time to sort out between the government and the workers what the minimum wage should be.
“We have not been able to do that and we announce today that the wage award be extended by another six months to give us time to closeout time on the minimum wage discussions and negotiations.
The Enugu State governor, Dr Peter Mbah, who unveiled and commissioned the road, said, “I want to take this moment to congratulate my brother, your governor, the people-friendly governor and his team for the event we are witnessing here today, for the construction and completion of this massive 12.5-kilometre road. For me, this is not just an event to mark the cutting of a ribbon but it is a testament, a bold testament to the governor’s quest of leaving lasting legacies to humanity, and that’s what we are witnessing here today.
“I am told that this road is going to link the critical gateway of Apata to the city suburbs, and it’s going to link Challenge to Apata, and it’s also going to improve the connection for those travelling to Abeokuta, and also decongest the Ibadan-Ring road traffic. So, you can see that this construction and completion didn’t happen by accident.
“There was a design and a concept to be able to provide the ease, to offer the people of Oyo state the ease of doing their business, the ease of transportation, the ease of movement. So, you can easily see that what is at the epicentre of this event today is the people, the people of Oyo state. And that’s what the administration of my brother has continually underscored.”
