Following the Ondo State Government’s determination to commence the dualisation of the Akure–Idanre road, the Managing Director of Ore Industrial Park, Dr. Femi Akinkuebi, has commended the administration for its bold and visionary efforts to boost infrastructural development.

In a statement made available to newsmen, Akinkuebi described the project as “a masterstroke of infrastructural planning with clear economic intelligence behind it.”

According to him, “The proposed dualisation is more than a routine upgrade; it is a deliberate effort to unlock the economic potential of one of the state’s most strategic corridors.”

He noted that while many infrastructure projects in Nigeria are often limited to ceremonial flag-offs and political fanfare, this initiative stands out for its direct link to economic activation.

“Idanre Hill, one of Nigeria’s most iconic natural attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site nominee, sits at the heart of this development. The current state of the access road has long been a deterrent for both domestic and international tourists,” he said.

The development expert added that a modern dual carriageway will not only ease access but also attract significant hospitality investments, promote cultural tourism, and create thousands of jobs in the service sector.

“This is about unlocking Idanre’s full tourism potential. A better road means more visitors, more hotels, more local businesses, and more opportunities for our people,” he added.

Akinkuebi also highlighted Idanre’s importance as a major cocoa-producing hub, reportedly accounting for close to 20% of Ondo State’s cocoa output—one of Nigeria’s top cocoa-producing states. He explained that poor road conditions have hindered efficient transportation, causing losses, delays, and inflated operational costs for farmers and traders.

“With this road project, farmers will reach markets faster, transporters will save on maintenance costs, and agribusinesses can operate with greater efficiency,” he said. “We are not just laying concrete; we are building the expressway for exports, agribusiness expansion, and regional trade.”

He further praised the project as a model for strategic infrastructure planning with direct economic value.

“This is the kind of development that answers the right question: ‘What economic value does this unlock?’” Akinkuebi emphasised.

He commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s administration for taking what he described as “a bold and visionary step” towards repositioning the state as an economic powerhouse.

“This road is more than a connection between two towns—it is a gateway to a new era for Ondo’s economy,” he concluded