The Ondo State Commissioner for Infrastructure, Land and Housing, Engr. Raimi Aminu has assured residents of Akure that potholes on major roads will be fixed.
Aminu gave the assurance while receiving Executives of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Ondo State Council led by Comrade Leke Adegbite, in his office in Akure.
He said Governor Rotimi Akeredolu had ordered the ministry to device means of fixing the potholes immediately.
Aminu commended high level of professionalism so far exhibited by journalists in the state.
The Commissioner added that the Akeredolu-led government had always seen constructive criticism as a catalyst for development, saying it would spur government to do more for the people.
Aminu. blamed the recent upsurge in potholes in some major streets in Akure on recent increase in cost of bitumen and the current increased downpour.
According to him, government is doing everything possible to fix the portholes to make the roads motorable.
“The potholes issue is a thing of concern to us. We have the estimate, we have the bills here but there is no money and we even want to start on credit these days, but the rain is very disturbing.
“The ones we did recently, we will have to repeat because of the rain. Look at that Fiwasaye Roundabout, somewhere in Ijapo even the road to the governor’s office.
” Everytime we have patch and patch. It is because of the weather,” the Commissioner lamented.
“So we need some dry weather because if asphalt moisture content is too much, it will spoil again.
“So we should plan such that immediately we are approaching dry season, we swing into action,” Aminu assured.
The Commissioner promised to fashion out with NUJ, how to actualise request of the union for land that could be used for Second phase of PEN ESTATE in the State.
Also speaking ,the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Engr. Owolabi Allen, commended regular support of the media to the state government’s activities, promising that the ministry would continue to reciprocate the noble gesture.
Earlier in his remarks, the State Chairman of the union, Comrade Leke Adegbite had commended the harmonious relationship between the government and the media in the state.
Adegbite lauded what he described as infrastructure revolution of the Akeredolu’s government all over the state, citing the first ever Fly Over in Ore, the dualization of Oke Alabojuto in Ikare Akoko and Akure township roads among others.
He called for more collaboration from the government to enhance more development.
The NUJ boss however expressed concern on the increasing pot holes particularly along major roads in Akure, the state capital, saying it may erode the good jobs government was doing on infrastructural development of the state.