Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has said that his administration’s intervention in federal roads in some parts of the state is to alleviate the sufferings of residents plying the roads.
Governor Oyebanji, who disclosed this on Saturday while inspecting some of the on-going projects in the state, said it became imperative for his government to intervene in the Federal Government roads to enable the citizens have unfettered access to different parts of the state.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the inspection of the ongoing Ado – Iworoko – Ifaki road construction and a medical complex projects at the State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti, the Governor hinted that the road will cost his government over fifteen billion naira.
He explained further that although the road is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, but it is primarily used by Ekiti people, thereby compelling the state government to fix it, for use by the people.
Stressing the importance of the road to the state’s economic and social life, as it connects towns and facilitate movement of goods and services within and outside the state, as well as serving as a major link to the northern part of the country, the Governor said the state of the road has been a source of concern to his administration.
Governor Oyebanji said his government remained focused on roads that have significant economic impact, especially those that connect communities and boost trade. He expressed hope that the state would be compensated after the completion of the road project, adding that such compensation would encourage his government to take on more federal roads.
The Governor who also visited the Ekiti State Teaching hospital said the construction going on in the hospital is to upscale the facility to ensure Ekiti people have access to quality and affordable healthcare service delivery.
While expressing satisfaction on the work so far, the Governor maintained that the project would change the face of Medicare in the state.
“So, the road inspected, actually is a federal road, but it is Ekiti people that use it. The road is one of the major arteries to the North, and it has become a major concern to our government. Governor kayode Fayemi started it and we are about to complete it now. That speaks to the beauty of continuity.
“That road is going to cost us a 15billion naira. We are able to embark on a project of this magnitude because of the strong support from the federal government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and this is our modest contribution to complement Mr President’s infrastructural development and we hope the Federal Government would compensate us after its completion to encourage us to can fix more roads and further enhance the economic development of the people.
“Our immediate focus now is to finish the construction on time and make it available for the use of the people”, the Governor said.