It was a carnival-like ceremony in Ondo city on Saturday as the lawmaker representing Ondo East/West Federal Constituency at the lower legislative chamber, Hon. Abiola Makinde performed the foundation-laying ceremony of four ultra-modern motor parks in the constituency.
A press release signed by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity to the federal lawmaker, Alli Moshood Abiodun , stated that the millennium motor parks which are part of the constituency projects of the ranking lawmaker was sited in Ife garage Ondo town, Bolorunduro the administrative headquarters of Ondo East as well as Oka and Akure motor parks in Ondo town.
The ceremony was attended by people from all walks of life, including the Senior Special to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Legislative Matters and Special Duties, Dr Jibayo Adeyeye, Chief Johnson Akinlosotu, Chief Mrs Nike Olawoye, amongst other APC leaders and stalwarts.
Others who were present at occasion were representatives of the student’s body from Adeyemi University of Education Ondo, drivers unions, market women, community leaders, various youth groups, associations as well as party loyalists among others.
Speaking while performing the foundation laying of the projects, Honourable Makinde, said ,”the construction of the ultra-modern motor parks is part of the move towards the enhancements of the aesthetic and environmental development of Ondo Kingdom as well as to authenticate the city status of the constituency.”
The lawmaker explained that the project is also part of the continuation of his laudable and far reaching achievements since he assumed office as the representatives of his people which he mentioned to include provision of instructional materials for students, award of scholarships to students of various higher institutions, employment opportunities for youths, sponsoring graduates to further their studies abroad.
Other achievements mentioned by the lawmaker were business empowerments, free healthcare services to the elderly people, provision of free food and clothes to the needy, provision of palliatives to constituents, facilitation of interest-free loans to market women and artisans, construction of street roads, culverts and bridges to needed streets, communities and settlements across the federal constituency, provision of solar street lights and recently, the construction of six blocks of classrooms at St. Andrews’ Grammar School Ondo to mention but a few.
Speaking further on the projects executed by him so far, Honourable Makinde explained that some of them were” aimed at developing Ondo city and making life more bearable for the people and making them to feel the impacts of the dividends of the democracy.”
The ranking lawmaker while appreciating the people of the constituency over what he described as the supports extended to him, he urged them to extend the same gesture to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa during the forthcoming November 16 gubernatorial election by ensuring his success during the conduct of the exercise.
He however used the opportunity that the ceremony afforded to educate the people on the need to differentiate constituency projects (Zonal Intervention Projects) and Economic Recovery Growth and Planning ERGPs. He went further to state that anyone can influence ERGP projects and that the only projects under the purview of Federal Legislators are Zonal Intervention Projects ZIPS.
In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Old Field Nigeria Limited and contractor handling the project, Chief Oluseyi Omotoso, promised to deliver standard projects at stipulated time in conformity with the bill of quantity given to him by the agency in charge of supervising the projects.
The MD later paid a glowing tribute to the lawmaker and described him as a God given talent to the people of the constituency, urged them to continue supporting him and ensure the maintenance of all the projects executed by him.
Similarly, the representative of Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute (NIBRRI) Engr Chukwuma, represented by Engr. Tosin Akinmade, commended Makinde over his initiatives and his collective efforts in ensuring the smooth kick off of the project.
He also affirmed the generous support of the Honourble Makinde who he disclosed has donated one thousand and five square metres of interlock and other materials for the speedy take off of the project.
In his remark at the occasion, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Ife motor park Ondo town, Comrade Abija who spoke on behalf of other driver unions, commended the lawmaker over the project, he equally described him as an experienced politician who promises and works towards fulfilling the promises.
In their separate remarks at the occasion, Chief Johnson Akinlosotu, Hon. Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye, Esq, Barr Bada Maruf, Ondo West Local Government Education Secretary and Chief Mrs Nike Olawoye (Mama Aserere) all testified to the good works of the legislator in the last couple of years he assumed the position of the representatives of the Ondo East/West Federal Constituency.
They submitted that they all believed that the construction of the ultra-modern motor parks will not only add to the aesthetics and economic activities of Ondo city, but an addition to the profile achievements of Honourable Makinde in no small measures when completed for the overall development of Ondo kingdom.
The highpoint of the well-attended ceremony held at Ife garage Motor Park, Ondo town was the official laying of the foundation of the project by Honourable Abiola Makinde amidst share and wild jubilation by residents of the area.