The Governor of Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has reiterated his commitment to the development of the grassroots, while also ensuring food security by constructing access roads to farms.
The Governor gave this assuarance at the project launch and groundbreaking ceremony of 15.5km Oda Cocoa Board – Camp 2 – Langbodo Road in Oda town in Akure South local government area on Friday.
The first phase of the project cuts across the three senatorial districts of the State in Oda – Cocoa Board – Langbodo at Akure South LG in the Central; Ode – Omi – Ebute Iyara in Irele LGA for the South and Ifira Akoko – Afo in Akoko South East LG for the North. The construction work will commence simultaneously across the three locations.
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 many LGAs in the State.
The Governor assured that his administration will continue to embark on more developmental projects for the benefit of the people of the State, especially at the grassroots.
Governor The emphasized 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.
While hoping for a speedy completion of the projects, the Governor commended the efforts of the contractors so far.
The State Project Coordinator of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAMP), Mr. Femi Adetanmi, said the project enjoys fundings from the World Bank, French Development Agency and Counterpart contribution by the Ondo State Government.
Adetanmi emphasized that when the road is completed, it will connect the people in the rural communities with the urban areas which will allow free flow of farm produce.
“Ondo RAAMP project cuts across all the 18 Local Government Areas of the State with about 700km of roads digitalized, designed and ready for construction. The design of 9 of Agro-Logistics Centers (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/farm areas.
Also, the Administrative Secretary, Directorate of Rural & Community Development, who doubles as the Chairman, State Project Monitoring Committee of RAAMP, Mr. Wole Akinkuotu, reiterated that the present administration’s decision to be one of the participating states in RAAMP was borne out of the concerned attitude of the Governor and the desire to change the negative narrative associated with getting access to the rural parts of the State.
Those present at the event included the Deputy Governor, Chief Olayide Adelami, Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi, Chief of Staff to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Prince Segun Omojuwa and traditional rulers.