Oyebanji Inaugurates Ikole Township Road, Electricity Projects

Yinka Oyebode writes that Ekiti state Governor, Biodun Oyebanji recently inaugurated road and electricity projects in Ikole Local Government Area of the State.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti state has  inaugurated the Ikole Township road and Ilumoba- Ijesa Isu- Ikole 33kVA electricity project, with a declaration that the cultivation of more land for commercial agriculture has reduced the menace of kidnapping in the axis.

The Governor said his administration, in addition to power and road infrastructure development, would focus on agriculture in order to ensure food security, create economic opportunities, ensure proper utilization of land and drive industrialization.

The events presented the people of the area an opportunity to comment on the Oyebanji administration. Apparently impressed with the life-changing policies and projects executed to the benefit of their people in the last two years, traditional rulers, eminent personalities and residents of communities in Ikole Local Government unanimously endorsed Governor Oyebanji for another term in office.

They pledged their support in their respective speeches at the venues of the project commissioning in Ikole Ekiti.

Governor Oyebanji, who personally inaugurated the projects, said the Ikole Township Road was another gain of the continuity overwhelmingly voted by the people of the state in the 2022 governorship poll, noting that the project was started by his predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi.

The Ekiti helmsman said the execution and completion of the power project was testament to his administration’s resolve to boost social and economic activities in the axis and breathe more life into grassroots economy and investment.

He said his administration attached much importance to Ikole council area, which accommodates the state’s Special Agriculture Processing Zone (SAPZ) and which has attracted government and private sector investment.

Oyebanji explained that the opening up of more land for commercial farming has reduced the incidence of kidnapping and other forms of criminal activities in the axis. He urged more citizens to embrace agriculture, adding that government would provide necessary support.

The Governor also called on citizens of the state to take advantage of the investment opportunities offered by the Agric Processing Zone, while pledging that his government would continue to provide necessary infrastructural support that would make the state attractive to investors and make the environment conducive for living and investment.

Oyebanji urged the benefiting communities to protect the projects inaugurated in their areas and prevent them from being vandalized noting that enormous resources were committed into them.

He promised to look into complaints of non-energizing of transformers in some localities explaining that the inauguration marked with the switching on of the electricity project was the first step to be taken while other issues would be looked into.

Oyebanji also assured that adequate compensation would be paid on any land used for development purposes assuring those who are yet to be compensated in agric processing zone would be duly compensated.

The Governor further disclosed that the contractor handling Isinbode-Ara-Ikole Road has been asked to move to Oke Ako-Ipao-Irele Road for rehabilitation owing to its importance and being an access road to SAPZ.

He equally disclosed that the contractor handling Ado-Iluomoba Road will get to site next week, adding that government has secured assurances to extend the work from Iluomoba to Ikole.

The Governor urged the people of Ikole council area to cooperate with his administration to do more in years to come noting that their sons and daughters working with him are doing extremely well and adding value to governance.

Speaking on the impact of his administration in the area, Oyebanji said: “This local government hosts our Special Agriculture Processing Zone. We thank our Obas for their support and cooperation, we are going to sort out issues of compensation.

“Opening up more land for agriculture has reduced kidnaping in this axis. We are injecting more money into the grassroots economy to assist our local artisans, traders, beer sellers and others doing business in our localities.

“We are working with our National Assembly members to ensure that all dilapidated federal roads are rehabilitated. We are presently spending Ekiti resources on Ado-Ifaki Road which is a federal road but we cannot continue spending our money on federal roads because we will not be refunded; that is why we are collaborating with our National Assembly members.” he added.

-Oyebode writes from Ado Ekiti.