Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Tuesday commissioned the 9.3-kilometre Akoda–Cottage–Oke Gada dual carriageway in Ede, describing the project as a key infrastructure development built to high construction standards.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Adeleke said the road is strategically important to the Ede community as it links major residential areas, schools and markets, while also providing connections to the roads leading to Osogbo and Ibadan.
The governor noted that residents had long endured traffic congestion and poor road conditions within the town, expressing confidence that the completed project would significantly improve mobility and ease transportation challenges.
He said the project formed part of his administration’s infrastructure renewal programme across the state’s various zones.
“What we are doing in Osogbo, we are doing in Ila, Iwo, Ile-Ife, Ilesa and now in Ede,” Adeleke said.
He commended the Ministry of Works and the contractors for delivering what he described as a quality project that met approved engineering standards before formally declaring the road open for public use.
Providing details of the project, the Director of Highways at the Osun State Ministry of Works, Maruf Ojebode, said the dual carriageway was designed to address the persistent traffic congestion and flooding in the heart of Ede.
According to him, the project was divided into two phases, both awarded in November 2023 with a one-year completion period.
He said the first phase, covering 5.4 kilometres from Akoda to Baptist High School, Ede, was awarded to Great Enyork Technology Ltd, while the second phase, spanning 3.6 kilometres from Baptist High School to Oke Gada, was handled by Engineec Integrated Engineering Ltd. Both phases were completed in December 2024.
Ojebode said the road features dual carriageways measuring 9.3 metres on both sides, 1.5-metre pedestrian walkways, a 1.2-metre central median and solar-powered street lighting.
He added that geotechnical investigations, traffic counts and hydraulic studies were carried out before construction commenced to ensure the project met both federal and state highway standards.
Also speaking at the event, the Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Lawal, called for a free and fair governorship election in Osun State.
The traditional ruler also condemned what he described as hate speech directed at the Ede community in connection with the forthcoming governorship poll.
Speaking in Yoruba, Oba Lawal appealed to President Bola Tinubu to ensure a credible electoral process.
“We are using this opportunity to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to allow for a credible governorship election. They should allow each of us to vote for whoever we prefer,” he said.
