By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi 

The Ondo State Government has announced plans to complete a banquet complex abandoned since 2007 as part of a broader strategy to revitalise urban infrastructure and eliminate derelict projects across the state. The Modern Banquet Complex, located in Alagbaka, Akure—just beside the Governor’s Office—was originally initiated by the administration of the late Governor Dr. Olusegun Agagu two decades ago but was left incomplete for nearly 17 years.

Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa’s administration has declared a firm commitment to addressing such legacies of abandonment, signalling a renewed focus on urban regeneration in the state capital and other urban centres. According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Engineer Abiola Olawoye, the decision to revisit the banquet complex project aligns with the administration’s determination to curb resource wastage and restore the aesthetic and functional integrity of government-owned properties.

During an inspection of the neglected structure on Thursday, Engr. Olawoye revealed that the state government is currently reviewing the original components of the contract awarded for the building’s construction. This review, he said, would form the basis of decisions on how best to proceed with its completion and future utilisation.

The ongoing urban development in the Alagbaka Government Reserved Area (GRA), which includes significant renewal efforts and infrastructure upgrades, has added urgency to the project’s resuscitation. Olawoye explained that the banquet complex’s strategic location makes it essential to integrate it into the larger vision for a more modern, functional state capital.

In preparation for further technical assessments, the site is now being cleared to allow for a comprehensive structural integrity test. This process will determine the current condition of the partially built facility and whether it meets safety and engineering standards for completion and eventual use.