…as Agric Commissioner says Ikole-Igbemo road, Ijero-Epe-Iropora road critical to Ekiti Agric revolution

Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has awarded the contracts for the construction of the Ikole-Isaba-Ikoyi-Igbemo road and Ijero-Epe-Araromi-Iropora road totalling 31.12km to two construction firms.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti at the contract signing ceremony held on Monday, the State Project Coordinator, Hon. Sunday Adunmo said the two roads which were awarded at a cost of N10,092,015,414.66 will be delivered within 18 months.

Adunmo who said the award of the contracts for the two roads reinforces Ekiti Government’s “steadfast commitment to enhancing agricultural access, improving rural road networks and supporting the economic productivity of our communities”, disclosed that Ekiti RAAMP has engaged seven Ekiti-born contractors out of nine who currently handle its road projects.

While urging the contractors to adhere strictly to the highest standard of quality and professionalism, the Project Coordinator warned that the Project would not hesitate to terminate any contract that does not conform to specifications.

He lauded the State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji for the prompt provision of counterpart funds which have been instrumental to the smooth and effective implementation of the project.

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In his remarks, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade said the newly awarded roads are very strategic to the food security plan of the state government.

Boluwade who stated that the Biodun Oyebanji-led administration is poised to focus attention on food security in 2025 said RAAMP is very crucial to the State’s agricultural plan as research showed that farmers experience post-harvest losses up to 45%.

The Agric Commissioner who stated that food security would be impossible without good road networks that can help farmers get their produce to the market, urged the contractors to deliver durable roads.

Also speaking, the Director General of the State Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr. James Folorunso commended RAAMP for always following due process.

Folorunso who was represented by Engr Samuel Ogundare said BPP had always monitored Ekiti RAAMP’s procurement activities and it was glad that the Project has always followed the rules to the letter.

In their remarks, the two contractors, Messrs Wals and Funs Nigeria Limited and Messrs Delko Holdings Nigeria Limited pledged that they would deliver quality jobs as expected of them.