Adebayo Adenrele
…expresses worry on deplorable state of federal roads in Ekiti
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State over the weekend disclosed that the Cargo Airport in the state will commence operation by July, 2024.
Oyebanji revealed this on Sunday, during his inaugural appearance in the monthly programme ‘Meet Your Governor’ aired across all radio and television stations in the state.
According to the Governor, the Airport, whose high level of technicalities involved in certification by relevant authorities have delayed the usage, would aide transportation and economic development of the state.
His words, “The Airports is going to be a game changer in the running of our business and economy because it is the terminus for the Ekiti State Ring Road Phase One.
What makes me happy is that, the corridor through which the Phase one is located will be developed. Besides this, we are also thinking of setting up a new Ado Ekiti town along that axis that can be properly developed”.
Lamenting over the deplorable condition of some federal roads in the state, he said he is hopeful that the reconstruction of the roads would be realized in the 2024 Federal Government budget having received assurances of Federal Lawmakers.
He clarified that the state could not invest heavily on the federal roads because of the Federal Government’s no-refund-to states policy, and promised to provide alternative roads that would give the commuters relief while traveling across Ekiti.
Governor Oyebanji added that his government has leveraged substantially on the support of eminent stakeholders to attract alternative development windows to the state.
As a way of bailing the citizens out of quagmire of bad federal roads, the Governor stated that the state government, has commenced the Ado Ekiti Ring Road Construction to give commuters thorough fare in and out of Ekiti.
The governor also allayed the fears of land owners over compensation for damaged crops, stating that adequate compensation would be paid to affected individuals and families .
“I am indeed worried by the deplorable state of our federal roads. Our people must get this right, we can’t construct these roads because there will be no refunds. But I have sat with our Federal Lawmakers and they have included some of these roads in the 2024 Budget. I have seen evidence that this has been done.
“Within the next few months, our people will start seeing changes. I have got the assurances of the leader of Ekiti caucus and Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele that efforts are being made to call attention to these roads.”