‘White elephant projects’: You don’t understand govt processes – Gov. Akeredolu replies Ondo residents

The Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has reacted to the yearnings by people of the state on the need for him to redirect focus to the completion of projects flagged-off by his administration.

It would recalled that on Saturday, DAILY POST had exclusively reported how residents of the state frowned at the governor’s ceremonious penchant for the flag-off of projects than executing them.

DAILY POST reported how the Hospital/Ijoka road dualisation as well at the proposed flyover bridge were flagged off since February this year without contractors being in site till this moment, which the people have now tagged “white elephant project”.

Reacting during the visit of the “Aketi Vision Group” at the Cocoa Conference hall of the Governor’s office, Akeredolu said he is not unaware of the fears expressed by the people that projects flagged off may have been abandoned.

He explained that the Ore flyover was delayed due to consultations with the federal government and the need to get approval.

“We want to have a flyover in Ore. We Will do it. But, the Benin/ Lagos expressway is a federal road. Ore road, it’s a federal road.

“We can’t go ahead and do it without getting the approval of the federal government

“We wrote the federal government because we expected them to pay us back when we finally finish the road but they wrote us back, and said they are not going to pay us back. They didn’t even tell us if we should go ahead.

“Our people don’t understand that the process takes time. But, I can assure you, very soon, we will get the approval and we will move to site soon

“The dualization from ” A” division to Ijoka, in Akure, we will commence work on it soon. As you must be aware, there is only one road to lead in and out of Idanre. But we have reached an advanced stage at the construction of another road in Ijoka which will lead into Idanre.

“We are doing all these and even more. On Bitumen, we have engaged an investor, as I speak with you, all their equipment are on the sea from Germany. I can assure you, we will explore bitumen in Ondo state soon.”