The Coordinator of the Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), Mr Sunday Adunmo, has expressed confidence that Ekiti people will reward Gov. Biodun Oyebanji with re-election in Saturday’s governorship election in recognition of his performance in office.
Adunmo spoke against the backdrop of commendations from leaders of communities benefiting from RAAMP projects at a forum in Ado-Ekiti where they described the implementation of the World Bank-supported initiative as impactful and transformative.
The President of the Ido Development Union (IDU), Dr Sola Ogunsina, said the partnership between the Oyebanji administration and the World Bank had restored access to farmlands for farmers along the Ido-Ipere-Iludun road corridor after years of isolation caused by the poor state of the road.
According to him, the journey, which previously took nearly two hours, now takes about 15 minutes following the reconstruction of the road.
Ogunsina noted that previous attempts to rehabilitate the road had failed, but commended the state government for leveraging available opportunities to improve the welfare of residents.
Similarly, Chairmen of the Grievance Redress Committees (GRCs) for the Erinmope-Irare-Ikosun and Ikole-Isaba-Ikoyi-Igbemo roads, Chief Ladipo Folorunso and Chief Olayemi Aluko, respectively, highlighted the positive impact of the projects on their communities.
Folorunso said the newly completed Erinmope-Irare-Ikosun road had enhanced the movement of people and agricultural produce among the benefiting communities.
Aluko, on his part, said the Ikole-Isaba-Ikoyi-Igbemo road had boosted school enrolment, revived commercial activities at the Arowona Market in Ikoyi and improved connectivity between Ado-Ekiti and Abuja.
Reacting to the remarks, Adunmo urged residents of the state to support Oyebanji’s re-election bid, saying the governor’s commitment to rural and agricultural development deserved recognition.
He disclosed that the governor had approved the construction of 37 additional rural roads covering about 300 kilometres under the RAAMP initiative.
According to him, the roads will soon be awarded as the project is currently finalising the procurement and bidding processes.
Adunmo added that the administration’s commitment to rural development was evident in the completion of 11 out of the 18 roads earlier awarded under the programme.
“The governor has demonstrated commitment to agricultural and rural development by ensuring Ekiti’s participation in RAAMP.
“Today, we have completed 11 out of the 18 roads awarded under the project, while plans are underway to award another 300 kilometres of roads.
“When a governor performs well, he deserves the support of the people. I urge Ekiti residents, particularly those in communities benefiting from these roads, to come out en masse and vote for continuity so that the good work can continue,” he said.
