The Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has expressed its readiness to begin construction work on 13 rural roads in the State
The State Project Coordinator, Hon Sunday Adunmo disclosed this in Ado Ekiti at a stakeholders’ engagement meeting on the operationalization of Rural Access Roads Authority (RARA) and State Roads Fund (SRF) laws in the State.
The roads are Enu Odi junction-Ita Eku- Igirigiri road, Omisanjana- Ben Folarin OkeAso road, Oye -Are road, Afolu-Odofin road, Ise-Imola road, Owode-Anaye road, Erinmope-Irare-Ikosun road and Iye-Isapa-Ikun road.
Others are Igbole-Osi-Iropora road, Ara-Ekameta school road, Ilupeju-Igbo Egan- Ayede road, FMS -Oke Ako road and Ikogosi-Aba Ori Okuta road.
The State Project Coordinator disclosed that the Project would soon advertise for request of bids from prospective contractors to handle the works.
Also speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Abibat Adubiaro reiterated the commitment of the Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led administration to the successful take-off of the RAAMP projects in the State.
She expressed delight that the much-anticipated construction work would be starting in a couple of weeks; adding that Ekiti people eagerly waiting to enjoy the fruits of their patience.
The Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Folorunso Olabode who was also at the event disclosed that the Ministry of Local Government Affairs is also collaborating with chairmen of all Local Governments in the State on the construction of 5km roads.
Olabode said this would complement the efforts of RAAMP and the State Government in providing a network of motorable roads across the State.
Earlier, the World Bank consultant who led the stakeholder’s technical session, Engr Okwudili Ikejiani had explained that the meeting was to ensure operationalization of RARA and SRF in the State since the Governor had signed the bills into law last year.
Ikejiani who delivered a short lecture on the step by step operationalization of both laws said the Boards for the two new agencies have to be constituted as fast as possible so that the RAAMP project could be sustained.
The stakeholders who spoke at the event commended the World Bank and the State Government for allowing them have inputs in the two laws and representations on the two Board which would be set up.
