A 13-hectare Ondo State Judiciary Village project conceived in honour of the late former governor, Arakunrin Olurotimi Akeredolu, SAN is billed for delivery anytime soon.
Westfield Global Construction Company, the contactor handling the project, gave the hint a few days ago.
Speaking after the ground-breaking ceremony in Akure, the Ondo state capital on Friday, the company represented by Engr. Sannino Antonio and Abdulfatai Owonifuja, project manager and general manager, respectively, lauded the government of Ondo State for awarding the project to the company.
They assure that they would do everything professional to ensure the project was completed in due time.
The project includes a ceremonial court, modular courts, a registry, a library, exhibition buildings, a utility building, and modern parking facilities.
In his remarks, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa expressed his administration’s commitment towards the advancement of justice and the welfare of judicial officers in the state.
Aiyedatiwa described the construction of the new High Court Complex as a historic milestone for the state, saying the vision for the project was conceived by late Governor Akeredolu.
The governor said: “This is a milestone celebration as we flag off the construction of a New High Court Complex in our dear state.
“Since the creation of Ondo State in 1976, no attempt has been made to provide a modern edifice for the administration of justice.
“Today, we are not only making history but also fulfilling a long-standing dream of the judiciary.
“This development is the actualization of the dream and vision of our late leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. It was his desire to provide a state-of-the-art High Court Complex to enhance the workload and welfare of our judiciary.
“Naming this project the Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu Judiciary Complex is a befitting way to immortalise his legacy.”
Aiyedatiwa also highlighted the importance of embarking on the project despite financial challenges.
He said: “Let me state with all sense of responsibility that we are embarking on this project at this time not because the state is too buoyant financially but because of our commitment to providing a good working environment with modern facilities that will enhance the welfare of our judicial officers, workers, and people seeking justice, with the overall aim of speeding up the dispensation of justice in Ondo State.”
Highlighting the features of the Judiciary Village, the governor said, “It is designed to create a conducive environment for the administration of justice and to speed up the dispensation of justice in Ondo State”
Also speaking, the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola, hailed the initiative, describing it as a landmark achievement.
The CJ said: “This complex will elevate the judiciary to global standards with modern facilities capable of competing with any judicial system in the world.
“The governor’s commitment to this project demonstrates his dedication to peace, justice, and the overall development of Ondo State.”