By Biola Lawal
Ile-Ife (Osun) Flowerbudnews: Residents of Ile-Ife have commended Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State for the consistent progress in the construction of the much-desired flyover bridge at Lagere area of the ancient town.
Speaking in a random interview with Flowerbudnews on the Lagere flyover bridge, the residents expressed appreciation to Governor Adeleke for approving the project, which most of them noted, had been long overdue.
Mr. Joseph Adewale, an Ife resident said; ” ‘:Gov. Adeleke deserves prayer from all indigenes and residents of Ife for this project,” which he noted, was already impacting positively on the economy of Ile-Ife.
Adewale said that though, he is not an engineer, he commended the seal and seriousness of the workers at the site, saying that the dedication showed that they were being well motivated catered for by the contractor.
Another Ife indigene, Adebayo Adeyemi commended Gov. Adeleke saying; ”this flyover bridge project, which began just about two months ago is already providing gainful employment opportunities for our people, many of whom, now work with the contractor as artisans and casuals”.
Many others spoke in the same vein, stressing that mega projects like the Lagere Flyover Bridge project was a practical way to empower citizens through employment and other brisk businesses being generated by the construction work.
They however, urged the Governor to sustain the current intensive monitoring system to further keep the contractor and their workers on their toes to ensure that the good job is done to the end.
Flowerbudnews correspondents who visited the project site in Ife reports that the work has reached appreciable level with the substantial completion of piling work.
It was also observed that drilling and casting of piles had been completed awaiting the pile caps at the two Abutment locations and at each of the bridge axes.
A supervising Engineer, Engr. AbdulGaniy Oyebamiji, expressed satisfaction that the firm handling the construction, Messrs SAMMYA Nigeria Limited had ‘:fully mobilized and it is evident that his project managers, Engr. Samir and Engr. Michael Adedayo as well as other unit heads are up to the task.”
Engr. Engineer Oyebamiji said that the
pile caps for the flyover bridge would be cast after preparing the pile heads and pile load tests conducted.
”A pile cap is meant to connect a group of piles together for top load to be distributed on them (the piles),” the Engineer explained
Flowerbudnews observed also that the contractor, Messrs SAMMYA, had commenced preparation of platform for casting of beams (Precast Beams) for the bridge, while reinforcements were being cut to specifications etc.
Engr. Oyebamiji assured that the state government, through the Ministry of works was determined to ensure that the construction was of the highest standard and quality possible.
”Physically, the quality of work done so far is okay, but the outcome of the proposed pile load test and integrity test will speak the most important engineering aspect of it,” Engr Oyebamiji told Flowerbudnews.
On his part, the Project Manager, Engr. Michael Adedayo stated that work was ‘:progressing steadily,” adding; ”all Supervision team has been cooperative.”
”However, with the ways and manner execution and monitoring of site activities are being handled, I have the hope that the expectation will be met,” he added. (Flowerbudnews)
About Flowerbudnews
Established by Hon. Biola Lawal, a former Acting Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Flowerbudnews is a consortium of active journalists, media veterans and image makers in both public and private sectors of Nigeria’s media Industry determined to enhance the practice of responsible journalism.
Lawal, on his part, is also a former Honourable Commissioner for Information,Youth, Sports and Culture of Osun state, his home state.
Biola Lawal had also successfully served two tenures as Press Secretary to the ECOMOG Force Commander in Liberia during the Liberian and Sierra Leone Civil wars.
Lawal holds the honour of being the only journalist that served two terms on the ECOMOG international assignment due to his high professionalism and decency)
