Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
Reported By Abimbola Obatayo, Ibadan
…To provide free past questions and answers compendium to SSS III students
The Government of Oyo State has approved the total reconstruction of the 65-kilometre Moniya/Ijaiye/Iseyin Road, linking Oke-Ogun, the food basket of the State.
The State’s Commissioner Infrastructure, Works and Transport, Prof Raphael Afonja, who revealed this at the end of the State executive council meeting said that the reviewed road work would cost N9.9 billion.
Also speaking at a brefing at the end of the State Executive Council meeting, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Dahud Shangodoyin confirmed the award of a N170 million contract for the printing of a 10-subject compendium for SS3 students.
A statement by the Special Assistant (Print Media) Moses Alao, indicated that the road to be reconstructed connects Oke-Ogun, the food basket of the State, to the state capital.
The statement also quoted the Commissioner for Education as telling newsmen that the executive council had accepted to provide for e-training and skills development for teachers in public schools in the State.
The briefing, which was also attended by the State’s Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, was also told that the contract was awarded to Messrs KOPEK Construction Company.
The immediate past government of Senator Abiola Ajimobi had in February 2018, awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of the road at the cost of N7 billion, out of which N2 billion was paid to the Contractor who could not deliver on the terms.
Governor Seyi Makinde, had to revoke the contract after lamenting the slow pace of work and shoddy job being done.
Afonja noted that several key components in the road project had been upgraded in other for it to be qualitative, long-lasting and fitted to serve the State better.
“Let me use this medium to announce to the Oyo State indigenes that, at the Executive Council meeting, Governor Seyi Makinde approved the total reconstruction of Moniya-Ijaye-Iseyin road which is an important road that will add value to the economy of the state.
“We are all aware that the contract of this road was initially terminated by Governor Makinde, due to the inconsistency and underperformance of the other contractor that was disengaged from the past administration.
“I must say that one of the things that was captured in the approval process is that, this road will be completed in 12 months. We have selected a contractor that will be carrying out this project in the person of KOPEK and we are hoping that, by the end of the week, they will move to the site, mobilize and start their work.
“So, we look forward to get this road completed by this time next year.”
Similarly, the Commissioner for Education, Shangodoyin, explained that the State Government approved the printing of 100,000 copies of a compendium of past WASSCE questions, answers and marking schemes on 10 subjects, which it will distribute to SSS III students for free.
He maintained that the step was taken as part of the Government’s commitment to delivering free and qualitative education to students of the State.
He said: “I like to report that the Executive Council met today and approved the production of 100,000 copies of compendium of WASSCE past questions and solutions in 10 subject areas for our public and private schools.
“We are to give this compendium free of charge to public and private schools in Oyo State and we have a caveat to say that this compendium is free of charge and not meant for sale. Also, we are going to address proprietors of private schools and principals of public schools on the modus operandi on the usage of the compendium.
“We also agreed that we will make enough publicity to sensitise the public on the importance of the compendium which is meant for the SS3 students in our State. This is because we want to improve on the performance rating of our external examinations.
“While distributing this compendium, we equally want to motivate our students around the geo-political zone of the state. We will meet the students, staff and proprietors of private schools in Oyo State.
“The Governor has approved the provision for e-training of our teachers in schools. Very soon, we will give time table to the public as to skills development. So, we are actually concentrating on the issue of quality of education service providers in Oyo State and performance on one part. On the other part, we are concentrating on access and participation.
“On the recruitment of teachers, we have been given approval in principle. We are commencing the implementation process soon and have not advertised. I have sent out messages out to declare that there are some scammers and fraudsters outside. People should desist from going to apply online or come to TESCOM.
“We have not yet advertised. We have not yet finalised on the recruitment but we have in principle that we are going to recruit teachers.”
