Fidelis David in Akure
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, yesterday flagged off the construction of three rural roads across the three senatorial districts of the state, saying it was in line with his commitment to the development of the grassroots and ensuring food security by constructing access roads to farms.
The governor while speaking at the project launch and groundbreaking ceremony of 15.5km Oda Cocoa Board – Camp 2 – Langbodo Road at Oda town, in Akure South Local Government Area, said the first phase of the project cuts across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the roads included Oda – Cocoa Board – Langbodo at Akure South LGA in the Central; Ode – Omi Ebute Iyara in Irele LGA for the South and Ifira Akoko – Afo in Akoko South East LGA for the North, stressing that the construction work will commence simultaneously across the three locations.
Aiyedatiwa, who assured that the second phase of the road contracts are expected to be awarded in the first quarter of the year and it will also cut across other LGAs in the state promised that his administration will continue to embark on more developmental projects for the benefit of the people of the state, especially at the grassroots.
The governor emphasised the need for all stakeholders to take ownership of the projects, stressing that the contractors handling the construction of rural roads must be closely supervised to ensure that the quality of roads is not compromised under any guise.
He added that the fact that the roads have been in a deplorable state for many years makes it imperative that the ongoing intervention must be carried out to the expected threshold of standard.
The State Project Coordinator of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAMP), Mr. Femi Adetanmi, said the project enjoys funding from the World Bank, French Development Agency and Counterpart contribution by the Ondo State Government.
“Ondo RAAMP project cuts across all the 18 Local Government Areas of the state with about 700km of roads digitalised, designed and ready for construction. The design of nine of Agro-Logistics Centres (ALCs) to be built across the state is equally ongoing,” he said.
He, however, called on farmers to ensure that through this gesture, farm products are made available in sufficient quantities to the markets in order to eliminate food scarcity that is being experienced due to poor road network in rural areas.
Also, the Administrative Secretary, Directorate of Rural and Community Development, who doubles as the Chairman, State Project Monitoring Committee of RAAMP, Mr. Wole Akinkuotu, reiterated present administration’s decision to be one of the participating states in RAAMP was borne out of the governor’s concern and the desire to change the negative narrative associated with getting access to the rural parts of the state.
