………… announces establishment of nine agro-Logistics Centers across Ondo State
Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has restated his administration’s committment to rural development.
The Governor made this emphasis on Monday at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of 3.5km Ebute Ipare – Oke Ipare road, Ilaje in Ondo South Senatorial District of the State.
The Governor also announced that effors are being made towards establishing nine Agro-Logistics Centers across the three Senatorial Districts of the State.
He noted that the Agro-Logistic Centers, when completed would increase the income of farmers living in these communities and those along the road corridor. Also, post-harvest losses associated with farm produce due to lack of good roads and marketing centers would completely be a thing of the past.
According to the Governor, from the inception of his administration, deliberate efforts have been made to emplace several life-changing programmes and projects geared towards improving the livelihood and living standard of our teeming farming population, which goes without saying that agriculture remains the mainstay of the state economy.
‘It is our resolve that the government must of necessity, do more in the rural areas of Ondo State and would address the economic gap across the State through the provision of basic infrastructure. I am glad that the road project which ground breaking ceremony you are witnessing today is not only fulfilling this aspiration but ensuring the continued actualization of the mandate of RAAMP which is construction of rural access roads”.
The Governor averred that the actualisation of this projects is as a result of the regular payment of the government counterpart funds for RAAMP in fulfilment of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the World Bank and the French Development Agency.
“It would be recalled that our State joined other states to participate in the implementation of the Project in March 2017 and was accepted by the Bank having fulfilled all the laid down selection criteria. The benefits inherent in this laudable project which afforded us the opportunity of enjoying donor funding are visible for all of us to see and celebrate today.
“One of the components of our REDEEMED Agenda is “Rural and Agricultural Development” which is strategically conceived to address the challenges prevalent in our rural communities. It is in this regard that our administration is fully committed to repositioning the rural communities and the rural dwellers to be a more result-oriented society through the provision of rural access and marketing of the farm produce from our rural areas through the proposed establishment of nine Agro-Logistics centres across the three senatorial districts of the State”.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to the development of the grassroots and by extension, the people of Ondo State, assuring them that his administration shall continue to embark on more developmental projects for the benefit of the people in the State.
He emphasised the need for all stakeholders to take ownership of these projects, stressing that the contractors handling the construction of the rural roads must be closely supervised to ensure that the quality of the roads is not compromised under any guise.
“I seek your unwavering support as our administration continues to deliver the dividends of good governance to our people”, the Governor concluded.
the Administrative Secretary of the Directorate of Rural & Community Development and Chairman of the State Project Monitoring Committee of RAAMP, Mr. Wole Akinkuotu, reiterated the administration’s proactive stance in participating in RAAMP.
He cited Governor Aiyedatiwa’s commitment and the desire to reshape perceptions surrounding rural accessibility as driving factors behind the state’s involvement.
He stated that the project is in line with the governor’s promise to the people of Ondo State to ease the hardships faced by rural communities.
He further noted that once completed, the road will link the people of Ilaje to urban centers, enabling farmers to transport their produce to the cities.
Also, in his keynote address, the Director General of Ondo RAAMP, Adeniyi Adelabu, thanked the Governor for honoring his promise. He recounted several occasions where the Governor expressed his commitment to establishing road links between rural areas and urban centers.
Adelabu commended the Governor for treating the project with urgency and reaffirmed the Governor’s commitment to rural development and the well-being of farmers across the state.
He noted that the primary challenge in rural areas is poor road infrastructure, which leads to farm produce being left on the farms. Since these are perishable goods, they often spoil. He emphasized that the governor is committed to addressing this issue and finding a lasting solution.
In attendance were; Commissioner for health, Dr Banji Ajaka, Ilaje Local Government Chairman, Princess Toyin Ogungbure, Traditional Rulers from Ondo South in their large numbers, APC leaders and members, among others.