Following the commencement of construction works on the new flyover bridge and the attendant traffic diversions, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun has urged motorists, commuters and other road users to exercise patience and obey traffic signs to avoid constituting undue hindrances to the construction work as well as to avert avoidable accidents with its associated possible injury and needless loss of lives.
Rt. Hon. Olatunbosun who gave the advice in Ado Ekiti, said that the diversions are to provide passageways for traffic, adding that “it is not only to also keep the drivers safe but it also diverts traffic away from construction zones and workers”.
Olatunbosun assured that Government would ensure delivery of good quality and timely projects, adding that concerted efforts have been put in place to guarantee the delivery of the projects on schedule.
According to him, the measures put in place to control traffic are in the interest of public adding that the State Government would however ensure that the projects are completed within the stipulated period.
He said that “the first and most obvious reason for diversion is to provide a passageway for traffic. This not only keeps drivers safe, but it also diverts traffic away from construction zones and workers”.
Stressing that the focus is to boost economic and social activities in the State and predominantly at the grassroots, Olatunbosun said that the Oyebanji administration would continue to embark on meaningful policies and projects that have positive impact on the lives of the people, adding that the wellbeing of the people remained Government’s top priority.
He recalled that Governor Oyebanji signed two bills that would ensure proper maintenance and rehabilitation of deplorable roads in the State into laws, stressing that the Ekiti State Rural Access Roads Authority Bill (2023) and the Ekiti State Roads Funds bill (2023) were enacted because of their potentials to have positive impact on people in the State, “especially on farmers who would have access to good roads to transport farm produce.”
The Commissioner said that the State Government had commenced special interventions under the World Bank-assisted Rural Access and Agriculture Marketing Project (RAAMP) as part of efforts to make community roads accessible.
Olatunbosun highlighted the affected roads to include Enu Odi-Itenu –Igirigiri Road (8.41km); Omisanjana-Ben Folarin- Oke Aso Road (5.70km); Ara-Oye Road (8.77km); Afolu-Odofin Road (1.95km); Ise-Imola Road (5.30km); Owode Anaye Road (2.8km).
Others are Erinmope-Irare-Ikosun Road (6.68km); Iye-Isapa- Olopomeji- Ikun Road (5.10km); Ara-Ekameta Schol Road (2.05km); Igbole/Osin- Iropora Road (4.60km); Ilupeju-Igbo Egan Road (3.1km); FMS- Oke Ako Road (3.40km); and Ikosi-Aba Osun- Aba Oriokuta- Ikogosi Road (7.19km)
He highlighted roads undergoing rehabilitation in the State to include Oye- Iye –Ikun -Otun- Diary Farm Road, Ado-Iworoko-Road, Ikole township Road, Itapa- Ijelu- Omu Road, Moferere-Agric Olope-Odo Ado, Ilawe-Erijiyan road and the Hospital Management road in Ado-Ekiti.
Olatunbosun added that “while the Igbara Odo – Ikogosi Road, Iloro-Ijurin-Temidire- Ayegunle road and the failed Culvert on Igede -Ilawe road as well as the Igbara Odo – Ikogosi Road are undergoing reconstruction, the State Government is undertaking fresh construction of the Omisanjana –Sije- Deeper Life- Ajebandele road, the GRA 3rd Extension road and the Okeoro-Ilokun-Ipoti road”.
Stressing that construction of the roads handled by the Oyebanji administration were monitored to guarantee durability, Olatunbosun however appealed to the people to avoid acts that are inimical to the longevity of the roads.
He warned that indiscriminate dumping of refuse in gutters and waterways as well as the construction of unauthorized speed-breakers could lead to flooding and rapid destruction of the roads.