Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has stated that its projects have started transforming the State’s agriculture sector with more farmers now returning to farms and new markets springing up.
The State Project Coordinator, Hon Sunday Adunmo stated this when he led members of the State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture and Food Security on
a tour of RAAMP project sites across the State
Adunmo disclosed that a new market had emerged at Ikoyi Ekiti, a community along Ikole-Isaba-Ikoyi-Igbemo road; signalling the actualization of one of the goals of RAAMP, which is to provide rural access that would enable farmers transport their goods to the market.
The Project Coordinator, who commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for providing the wherewithal for the project to thrive, stated that the Governor’s commitment to RAAMP is a testament to his administration’s pledge to revamp the agriculture sector.
He disclosed that some of the ongoing road projects are at advanced stages of completion and would be completed and commissioned this year.
“Our projects are making positive impacts on the lives of Ekiti people, particularly those in the rural areas where the projects are domiciled. With our projects, new markets are coming up with a view to enhancing the livelihood of our farmers. It also gladdens my heart that our farmers are back in their farms while young farmers are also joining to provide a boost for the agric sector. Gradually, the vision of Governor Oyebanji to make Ekiti State the food basket of the Southwest is becoming a reality”, he said.
Also speaking with newsmen during the tour, the Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Abiodun Fawekun hailed Oyebanji for initiating life-changing and people-centred project.
Fawekun said the RAAMP road projects underscored the Governor’s pledge that his administration would focus majorly on the agriculture sector in 2025.
The lawmaker who expressed delight that RAAMP roads are changing the narratives in the State’s agric sector said the quality of work done by the contractors handling the projects was not in doubt.
He added that the contractors handling the roads visited have reiterated their commitment to delivering the projects as scheduled.
Fawekun specifically commended the contractor handling Ikole-Isaba-Ikoyi-Igbemo road, Messrs Delko Holdings Ltd for the quality job which he has done.
He called on others to emulate the company and deliver the roads awarded to them as Ekiti people are delirious of good road network.
The three-day tour of the 18 RAAMP roads which began on Tuesday is part of the lawamkers’ oversight functions.
The roads already toured are Ijero-Epe-Araromi-Iropora road, Ara-Ekameta road, Igbole Osi-Iropora road Ido-Ipere-Iludun road, Iye-Isapa-Olopomeji-Ikun road and Erinmope-Irare-Ikosu road.
Others are Ise-Imola road, Afolu-Odofin road, Owode-Anaye road, Agbado-Ipole-Ise road, Ikole-Isaba-Ikoyi-Igbemo road, FMS farm-Oke Ako road, Ilupeju-Igbo Egan-Ayede road, and Are-Oye road