…says better days here for cocoa farmers

By Ademola Obadofin

Immediate past Commissioner for Water Resources in Ondo State, Hon. Sunday Akinwalire, has described last week’s flag-off of the dualisation of 10-kilometre Akure-Idanre road by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as a bold decision aimed at relieving Idanre cocoa farmers of the burden of transporting their farm produce.

Akinwalire, an All Progressives Congress chieftain from Idanre, in a statement on Saturday, said farmers in Idanre cherished the new lease of life, as the Aiyedatiwa administration had not only embarked on access roads to communities bearing cocoa farms, but had also assisted farmers in the state through regular supply of farm inputs.

“All our farmers, traders and entrepreneurs are solidly behind the governor in his massive transformation of grassroots communities in Ondo State, most especially the cocoa hub of Idanre where its farmers have all the while been constrained gaining easy access to urban communities to sell their produce.

“By flagging off the dualisation project of the Akure-Idanre road last week, Governor Aiyedatiwa had brightened the hope of our cocoa farmers and other farmers and traders alike, of improved sales.

“Besides, Mr. Governor has done a lot to rehabilitate and construct where necessary, link roads to the farms; apart from assisting our farmers with various grants and farm inputs,” the former commissioner lauded.

He similarly noted that the tourism potentials in the iconic Idanre Hills in the area could be fully harnessed once visitors are able to gain easy access to the ancient town, noting that the governor’s multi-pronged vision for the state in transforming the rural areas deserves commendation.

According to him, the masses have begun to feel the ‘Our EASE’ agenda of the governor in initiating sectoral infrastructural projects covering road networks, education, health, urban renewal, industrial development, water supply, electricity projects, and others.

He particularly recalled that while he was in the saddle last year as Commissioner, the governor approved an expanded water scheme to supply potable water to several communities in the Ondo Cenral Senatorial District, of which Idanre communities are beneficiaries.

Akinwalire, in the same vein, thanked President Bola Tinubu for a well-coordinated development strategy of channeling funds to constituent states to be administered by the governors, for development purpose.

“Our President has demonstrated to the admiration of the whole world that federalism under his leadership is a system of government that makes the nation a commonwealth for every part of the country,” he applauded.