By Precious Owolabi, Ado-Ekiti

The Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has commenced the asphalting of the 20km Ikole-Isaba-Ikoyi-Igbemo road.

The State Project Coordinator, Hon. Sunday Adunmo, stated that the asphalt overlay underscored the commitment of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration to providing durable road infrastructure to enhance food production in the state.

Adunmo, who noted that the road would boost agricultural productivity along the corridor, described the ongoing asphalting of the Ikole-Isaba-Ikoyi-Igbemo road as a significant milestone, signalling that RAAMP road projects in the state would be a resounding success.

He further disclosed that asphalting would commence in April on the 3.40km FMS Farm-Oke Ako road, the 2.05km Ara-Ekameta road, and the 8.7km Are-Oye road, while work on other roads, including the 8.4km Enu Odi-Ita Eku-Igirigiri road, would begin before June.

Adunmo reassured that the quality of work would not be compromised, adding that the project consultant and relevant government monitoring units were conducting daily inspections to ensure strict adherence to project specifications.

Speaking with journalists in Isaba-Ekiti, the Managing Director of Delko Holdings Ltd, the construction firm handling the Ikole-Isaba-Ikoyi-Igbemo road, Mr Femi Aluko, said the company would continue to deploy additional human and material resources to ensure the swift completion of the project.

Aluko revealed that the progress recorded on the road was largely due to the company’s dedication to delivering quality work within schedule, noting that more equipment and workforce had been mobilised to the site.

He also commended the state government and RAAMP for ensuring timely funding, stressing that it had enabled seamless project execution.

Reacting to the development, a community leader, Chief Adeola Oguntuase, expressed gratitude to Governor Biodun Oyebanji for approving the road construction, noting that the project would significantly reduce travel time for road users who previously had only the Ijesa-Isu road as an alternative route to their communities.

She stated that upon completion, the road would facilitate the easy transportation of farm produce from rural areas to markets, particularly benefiting Igbemo-Ekiti, renowned for producing the popular Igbemo rice.

In a related development, Ekiti RAAMP has issued letters of award to contractors who won the bids for the construction of the Ido-Ipere-Iludun road, the Abe Cocoa-Ijarigbin road, and the Agbado-Ejisun-Ipole-Ise road.

The successful bidders are Messrs Syriton Nigeria Ltd, Messrs Strabic Construction Ltd, and Messrs Hensek Integrated Services Ltd.