By Kanu Samuel
The Ondo State Government has commenced the process of a comprehensive overhaul of infrastructural facilities at the State Secretariat Complex in Alagbaka, Akure, following decades of neglect.
The State Head of Service, Chief Segun Odusanya, and the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr. Abiola Olawoye, led consultants and other government officials on an inspection tour of the complex to assess the level of infrastructural deterioration and determine the renovation requirements.
Speaking with journalists during the inspection, the Head of Service expressed delight at Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s initiative to give the Secretariat a major facelift, describing the intervention as timely and significant to workers’ welfare.
Odusanya noted that some of the buildings were constructed in the late 1970s and early 1980s and had since suffered serious infrastructural deficits, making urgent renovation necessary.
He said the initiative reflected the Governor’s commitment to providing workers with a conducive environment in which to discharge their responsibilities effectively.
“As we all know, the welfare of workers is central to the heart of Mr Governor. It is part of his plans that workers should work in a beautiful and conducive environment.
We spoke about it and he gave a directive to the Commissioner for Infrastructure less than a week ago, and we are here today,” Odusanya said.
He added: “As we can see, this building was built many decades ago. So, we thank Governor Aiyedatiwa for approving the renovation at this time.
“You know, when you work in a beautiful environment, it enhances your productivity. The workers are very happy that this place is going to be given a facelift. They have never experienced this type of visit before.”
Also speaking, Commissioner Olawoye said the inspection was carried out on the directive of the Governor, noting that infrastructural development had been accorded a prominent place under the administration’s ‘OUR EASE’ agenda.
According to him, the intervention is aimed at reducing the infrastructural deficit across the state, including public offices within the Secretariat and other government facilities.
Olawoye observed that most of the offices had not undergone significant renovation since they were constructed several decades ago, stressing that the Governor had directed an immediate and comprehensive facelift of the Secretariat facilities.
“We are here with the architects from the ministry, Quantity Surveyors and Engineers. We will also carry out integrity tests before we embark on this massive renovation across the ministries,” Olawoye said.
He explained that the consultants would immediately commence visits to the various buildings to assess their structural strength, while also engaging occupants to obtain relevant information that could guide decisions on the renovation.
In his contribution, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr Akin Akinbola, said workers should expect a total overhaul of the facilities.
Akinbola noted that similar interventions had already been undertaken in other government establishments, including the Hospital Management Board, Teaching Service Commission and Ondo State Electricity Board (OSEB), among others.
Reacting on behalf of some of the offices inspected, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Forestry, Mr Bosun Ogundipe, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Foluke Tunde-Daramola, commended the government for the initiative.
They said the condition of some of the facilities had become worrisome, with workers concerned about the safety of the ageing structures, particularly during rainfall.
The officials expressed optimism that the planned comprehensive renovation would improve working conditions, enhance workers’ productivity and restore the Secretariat Complex to an appropriate standard for government operations.
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