By Adekola Afolabi

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The Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has been commended for his intervention in road construction across the three Senatorial Districts of the state.

Giving the commendation in separate interviews with The Hope are the Iralepo of Isinkan land, Oba Oluwagbemiga Ojo; the Chairman, Ondo State Agricultural Commodities’ Association (OSACA), Olugbenga Obawaya and the Asewe of Gaga Community, Chief Oluwole Omotosho.

They specifically applauded Governor Akeredolu’s giant strides in road infrastructure across the state capital, saying the governor’s midas touch has changed the narratives and given Akure a befitting state capital status.

The Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba Oluwagbemiga Ojo described the governor’s efforts in road construction as unprecedented, saying the laudable feat has reduced the suffering of the people and contributed greatly to the economic development  of  the state capital and its environs.

“You can see this all over the State capital and the 11 Wards that make up Akure South Local Government. Let me start from my own domain here, at Ward 3, Okeogba, we all saw what he did there. If you pass through Agagu road going towards Ilesha Garage, you turn left and see the expanse of road that the Governor has constructed there for the benefit of everybody.

“Go and see Gaga community, it is unprecedented. Look at what he is doing in Ijoka road, look at what he is doing in Oda road. What the governor has done across Akure metropolis, in fact, I’m amazed and it is marvelous in our eyes. Mr Governor has done so much in Akure South Local Government.

“We now have alternative road from Ijoka to Idanre. This has never happened before. Look at the network of roads constructed in Ijapo estate, look at Alagbaka and many other areas.

It has contributed to jobs creation. More people are building houses, and bricklayers, carpenters, welders, plumbers, tilers and painters are engaged to work, and you can see the multiplier effects.

“We also request that Mr Governor should help us look into the road that connects Adebowale, Ago Lisa, Amudipe, Akobo, Ita-Oniyan and Aladodo with Aponmu. We are are grateful to Mr Governor”, the monarch said.

On his part, the Chairman, Ondo State Agricultural Commodities’ Association (OSACA), Olugbenga Obawaya, appreciated Governor Akeredolu for  various interventions to ensure rural access roads and increased food production.

“One can recall a great project like Red Gold project, the establishment of Cocoa Council and several others in Agricultural development.

“We have also informed Mr Governor on the need to urgently attend to and focus more on rural roads development, and we are pleased that Mr Governor in conjunction with the 18 Local Government Areas, made provision for  18 graders, one per local government, to improve the road network which we also believe will include rural roads, the arterial roads in various Local Government Areas that lead to our farms where we do agricultural business.

“We give kudos to Mr Governor for that. We also believe other intervention like RAMP would also ensure massive road rehabilitation. Mr Governor has promised that by the dry season of this year 2022 there will be a lot of difference in terms of improvement of rural road network”, he said.

The Asewe of Gaga Community Chief Oluwole Omotosho, who explained that Gaga Community was one of the beneficiaries of the governor’s aggressive Infrastructural projects, added that the densely populated community had earlier been abandoned by many house owners due to the  deplorable state of the road.

He, however, stressed that Akeredolu has put an end to the long suffering of the people by constructing the road when it was least expected.

“All landlords and landladies who earlier left their houses have since returned while more houses and shops are being built by the people for rentage. The road network has opened up economic opportunity in the areas as more people are now relocating to the areas.

“So, I want to appreciate Mr Governor once again for the road projects not only in Gaga Community but the entire state. If you come to Gaga now you will see a lot of economic activities going on and our people are happy”, the Chief stressed.