By Abayomi Ogundipe
Now that citizens who are genuinely concerned about development of Ekiti state have made comments, it is more honorable to respond and provide further context and clarifications, believing that now, the clarifications will not be lost in the cacophony of emotional comments of the last few days.
It is true that the roads that have been the subject of discussion are federal roads, and this fact is not lost on either the governor or Ekiti national assembly caucus, especially the leader of the caucus and Majority Leader of the Senate, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele.
Laying the facts bare- A contract has been awarded for 4km road construction to begin from Aramoko roundabout all the way to Erio Ekiti. The contractors are already on site, and visibly so for all to see. It is to be noted that this is not a palliative measure but a full construction, as those done in the past have shown that palliative measures cannot withstand the vehicular pressure on that road.
Then, beginning from the very spot where this 4km construction is billed to end, there is a 6km long temporary repair ongoing there also.
The Ado-Ijan-Imesi Ile road is also under construction.
These road constructions were facilitated through the influence of the Senate Leader, using his relationship and that of Mr Governor with President Tinubu, and the roads are being supervised by the ministry of works through its comptroller in Ekiti state.
The national assembly members have been working closely with the governor to mount all the pressure that can be mounted for attention to be on more roads, and they will continue to do so. At least on two occasions, the governor have had reasons to visit the minister of works in Abuja, in company of the Senate Leader, to highlight the need for these repairs. The minister also visited Ekiti for an on-the-spot assessment.
These engagements have yielded the award of contracts for some Ekiti roads and the process is being monitored by all.
As far as transparency goes, all these moves were announced as they happen, on the state social media pages and sometimes on Federal Government social media pages, when it concerns Federal Executive Council approvals. It is not hidden that these efforts are being made.
It is the knowledge of the time frame of the completion of these roads that informed the state government’s decision to highlight other roads through which travelers can get into Ekiti state.
Having stated the facts as they are at the moment, it is important to state that the recent spate of camera wielding critics do not do so for the love of Ekiti, rather, it is to create a narrative for their sponsors to latch on to when the stage is set, after all, the election season is upon us.
It is hard not to believe this because the 36 intra state roads, both completed and ongoing, across the state deserve their attention too, and they plied some of the roads on their way to make the videos.
Painting a state government as inefficient on account of federal roads, especially as they are even being attended to, is not only unfair but also mischievous, seeing how social media attack and framing has impacted the image of governments in recent times.
The Ekiti state national assembly caucus, especially the leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele will continue to journey with Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji on the quest to do all that can be done for the benefit of Ekiti.
As stakeholders who are actively involved in what is being done and as such know well enough what it takes, they will continue to support the Governor, for a second term and for the governance that comes after the election.
Abayomi Ibrahim Ogundipe (Agarawu)
_Special Assistant, Governor’s Office (SDGs) wrote in from Iyin Ekiti