Abiodun Steps Up Rural Roads Construction To Ease Movement Of Agric Produce

Prince Dapo Abiodun, Gov. Of Ogun State

Prince Dapo Abiodun's led government in Ogun State is sparing no effort to ensure smooth transportation of agricultural produce from local communities to the urban centres, reduce post-harvest loss and make food abundant.

The state through its Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), has opened a bid for the construction of 64.01 km rural roads in Odeda, Yewa South, Ijebu East, Remo North and Ifo Local Government Areas (LGAs), cutting across the three Senatorial Districts in the state.

It would be recalled that a similar exercise was held last year, where 74.1 kilometers of the road was awarded to successful bidders.

Commissioner for Rural Development, Mrs. Olufemi Ilori Oduntan, while speaking during the Bid Opening for contractors on the projects at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said the initiative was geared towards promoting rural development and economic growth.

Mrs. Ilori-Oduntan noted that execution of the project would benefit the citizens, while completion of the roads would mark a pivotal step in the ongoing commitment of the state government to enhancing infrastructure, improving rural accessibility and boosting agricultural productivity.

She promised the bidders that due diligence would be followed to ensure that the most qualified and capable contractors were selected to deliver high-quality work within the stipulated timelines and budgets, saying the present administration was committed to ensuring accountability, integrity, and excellence.

In his contributions, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Oluwaseyi Sokoya said the state government was poised to open all rural communities to pave way for economic development, enhance the standard of living at the grassroots and reduce rural-urban drift which had plagued the country over time.

Earlier, the Project Coordinator, RAAMP, Engr. Waheed Adejumo stated the bid was made open to avoid conflict of interest, while transparency remains their watchword in the selection process.

Responding, two of the bidders, Engr. Augustine Joe-Sandy and Engr. Josephine Elebute expressed satisfaction in the process, attesting that the exercise was transparent.

Meanwhile, the state government has disclosed that Alagbole-Ajuwon, Akute-Ajuwon, Toyin-Giwa Hercules road, Oke-Aro in Ifo, Oke-Erinja road in Yewa South and Awokoya road in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Areas have been identified for construction.

Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya made the disclosure during a recent press conference held at the state government Secretariat in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Engr. Akinsanya explained that the 17 kilometres Akute-Ajuwon road project would be divided into two phases; the first is Akute to Oke-Aro, while the second phase starts from Oke-Aro to Ijoko.