Enhancing Ondo’s economy through road construction
By Adedotun Ajayi
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Roads are very essential to any development plan, as they brings about economic and social well-being to the society. Roads are the channels through which the economy flows, by linking farmers to the markets, workers to their offices, students to schools, and the sick to the hospitals in any given society.
The Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu led administration has adopted a commendable path, with regards to its strategic focus on massive road construction projects across the state, among other lofty agenda.
Livelihood in an environment is a function of prospects and economic productivity. It is thus important for a purposeful government to determine the critical programmes that connect the people and stir other factors in the society, thereby quickening the economic activities in the state and reducing the social burdens of the people.
The economic benefits to be derived from these critical programmes are first determined. A distinction is made between direct benefits accruing to users of the additional facilities and the indirect effects that the facilities will attract to the areas served by them.
While it is more difficult to make economic assessment of the indirect effect of improved road access networks, there has been extensive research in the United States of America assessing the economic and social impact of highways on the areas served by these roads. A working theory from these research findings has been used to effectively assess indirect effect of two alternative schemes for the construction of motorways in Denmark.
The multiplying effect of similar indirect benefits are the targets of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State in selecting the roads with the widest impact and progressing systematically, while maximizing limited funds. Beyond the visible edifice, the economic benefits of these roads can be economically quantified, using implicit balance sheet, i.e comparing direct and indirect benefits of the projects with immediate cost.
New road constructions and rehabilitation by the Akeredolu administration spread across the three senatorial districts of the state, a good number of these roads are completed while some are on-going. The roads numbering up to 45 at the last count, include the dualization of Ikare township road; dualization of 0.5km Oke Alabojuto road, Ikare phase 1; construction of 2.76 km of selected roads in Idanre; construction of 2.5km GRA dualization road in Owo. Construction of Iwalewa-Alafiatayo, Iwalewa-Oshinle, Iwalewa-Hospital road and Abusoro road, Ijoka phase 1. Construction of 6.02 km Alagbaka SIB-Appeal Court road, rehabilitation and construction of 5.412km road in Oke Ogba Community, and rehabilitation of selected roads in Ifon Local Government.
Other ongoing projects include the construction of 7.35 kilometer road in Akure South which are Orita Obele -Ire Akari – Oke Odu – Ipinsa.
The developmental outlook of these roads and economic benefits accruing to road users on these massive road construction programmes are measured by the savings resulting from the new facilities in terms of availability of more work-time, reduction in fuel consumption, reduction in tyre wears and incessant vehicle repairs, low accident risk, greater travelling comfort.
Adebiyi, an executive member of the landlord association in Ipinsa expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done on the road, he said Akeredolu seems to be doing well and working towards economic growth anchored on improving the infrastructural strength of Ondo State and the efforts to attract investment and industry. That is commendable Ipinsa has been in existence for long and we have been struggling with bad roads ever since, thank God for the intervention of the governor. Even though it’s just in the starting phase, we know we are heading somewhere. Hopefully, these road project will give users access to areas hitherto difficult to reach. A good number of Ipinsa roads will support farmers to bring their goods to the market, guarantee increased job opportunities, wealth creation, increase revenue and overall improvement in the lives of our people. This critical investment is required for investor to make Ondo State a choice destination for viable investment. We appreciate the state government for the job well done”
Another resident, Engineer Olu Adesida, said “we must commend Governor Akeredolu for his tremendous work in the state, this is the first time Ondo state is experiencing a major transformation. Anybody who has left Ondo state for five years will definitely see the huge changes, although there are still more grounds to cover on road construction and rehabilitation in the state, the progressive and targeted approach to successive selection of roads, if continued will in a matter of few years deliver good road networks across the State.
The move by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to record substantial development through road projects is unparalleled This act has brought manifold benefits to the people .
Various communities now have access to good road networks. As a result, institutions have established their presence in such locations; engendering unprecedented economic activities even in the remotest parts of the State. The road construction projects have created job opportunities, improving the standard of living.
Nathaniel Richard, business man and road user, said “As we all know that road infrastructure is vital to the development of any human settlement, rural areas or urban areas, road transportation, urban growth and commercial activities, particularly in developing world continue to be among the crucial issues of global change in the 21st century affecting the physical dimension of cities. Any government that is keen on making good road a priority definitely has the best interest of the citizens at heart. Good road infrastructure helps nation’s economy to grow, i.e transportation of goods to final destination at ease and reducing risk of traveling.”