By Ayodele Oni
A member of the House of Representatives, Femi Bamisile, has said dualization of Ado-Ijan-Ikare road will unlock the economic and investment potentials of Ekiti state.
The representative of Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, comprising Ayekire/Ekiti East/Emure Local Governments, stated this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
The Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Delegated Legislation, also appealed to the federal government to speedily commence the dualization of the road project recently awarded to ease the suffering of people.
The road, which connects some state, federal and private institutions such as Federal Polytechnic, ABUAD, Knowledge Zone, Air Force Base and International Cargo Airport, as well as, linking Ondo State, has become death trap for motorists.
Bamisile, who commended Governor Biodun Oyebanji for constantly interfacing with federal authorities for the project to come on stream, saying such efforts clearly showed that the governor feels the pain of the residents that suffer daily on the dilapidated road.
He said his major concern remains that the project will add immeasurable values to the economy of the state, as well as, complement Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s six pillars of development.
Bamisile, lamented the current decrepit status of the road, which he described as “becoming a booby trap threatening the lives of commuters”, saying the safety of Nigerians should also be accorded utmost priority.
“Let me commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for acceding to the request for the dualization of this highly pivotal road that favourably connects the Southwest to the Northern part of our country through the efforts of our progressive Governor, Biodun Oyebanji.
“It is quite commendable, because it came at a time when works are ongoing on the reconstruction of Ado-Ikere-Akure road. One can’t imagine the advantages the combined effects of these two projects will attract to Ekiti when completed.
“The Ado-Ikare road is of particular concern to me because it touches the lives of my constituents in Ayekire Local government. This local government is revered as a major cocoa, timber, palm tree and yams belt in Ekiti.
“My constituents’ contributions to the Gross Domestic Product(GDP) of Ekiti are enormous because of their comparative advantage in farming.
“If this project is completed, farmers in that axis would have limitless opportunities to transport some of their produce to Abuja, Kabba, Lokoja and Lagos markets for better profits. But as of now, the deplorable state of the road is inhibiting these opportunities and limiting farmers’ capacities to make profit.
“I appeal to the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, who had commendably visited the site of the project to as a matter of fact and urgency makes this road a priority being a major artery and nerve centre of Ekiti’s economic survival.
“The contractor has nothing to fear. My people are hospitable people. They will seamlessly cooperate with them to ensure that the project is successfully executed.”
