Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Thursday commissioned the 3.5km phase one of the Ila township road dualisation.
Speaking at the commissioning exercise, the Governor noted that the dual carriage is “more than a road but a lifeline for commerce, mobility and safety for the people,” adding that the project alongside other township roads, market and health facility “shows that this Administration believes that development must get to the grassroots.”
“The dual carriage is more than a road, it is a lifeline for commerce, mobility and safety for the people. This project alongside other township roads, market and health facility shows that this Administration believes that development must get to the grass roots,” he said.
The Governor added that his administration is “opening Ila to more investment, easier movement of farm produce and better access to schools, hospitals and the palace.”
“Ila is a historic town, it is a center of learning, culture and commerce. With this dualised road, we are opening Ila to more investment, easier movement of farm produce and better access to schools, hospitals and the palace,” he stated.
Adeleke also said the road connects Ila to other towns, hence the focus on intercity routes.
“We also know that this road connects Ila to other town, that is why we are also working on Intercity Roads to ensure Ila is not left behind in Osun Infrastructure agenda. Apart from this dual carriage way, my Administration has equally completed over 7km length of Intracity roads in Ila Orangun.”
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Tokunbo Salam, described the project as historic and delivered within the timeline given by the Governor.
“Your Excellency, You will recall that, 12 months, 2 days ago, you were here to flag off this road and you gave us a mandate at the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure that we have to finish this road within 12 months and we are here today for the commissioning of this road,” he said.
“Your Excellency, I believe people are counting because this is one of several projects and they are still counting. Your excellency, your era is a landmark era and era that will be hard to forget in the history of Osun State. What we have commissioned today never happened and in many other places never happened and history will never forget.”
He added that the project is part of urban renewal:
“What is happening is described as urban renewal and as we are renewing, this is the first phase of the road and the second phase of the road will be pronounced by His Excellency and I know that by the time he comes back for his second term, total transformation will come to Ila.”
Briefly describing the project, Director of Research and Planning, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engr Olalekan Salami, said the Governor approved a 10km dualisation in three phases.
“Your Excellency, you approved that the dualisation of Ila road should be 10km in length and phased into three and you gave us a mandate that the first phase be delivered within 12 months,” he said.
“Exactly 21st of July 2025, we were here to flag off this road, and we are here today 23rd of July 2026 for the commissioning of the first phase which is 3.5km.”
“It is the intention of the Governor that this road will lead to the Federal University of Health Sciences, first phase of 3.5km is completed within 12 months, another 3.5km will be completed within the next 12 months and the last one will be 3km to complete the 10km dual carriageway.”
The commissioning was witnessed by the Orangun of Ila, Oba Abdulwahab Olukayode Oyedotun (Bibiire I), members of the Imole Campaign Council as well as other members of the Executive Council and party chieftains.