On Wednesday, the Ekiti State Executive Council granted approval for the reconstruction of the Ikere-Igbara-Odo road. This decision aligns with ongoing efforts to enhance the quality and accessibility of roads throughout the state, All Nigeria Latest News reports.
Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, State Commissioner for Information, disclosed this in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday.
The Commissioner reiterated the commitment of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration to the State’s rapid economic growth and improved social activities.
He explained that the approval for the reconstruction of the road is part of the administration’s strategy to sustain a good State road network that would link communities with major roads and ease movement around the State.
Rt. Hon. Olatunbosun however assured that the State Government would continue to collaborate with the Federal Government towards ensuring proper maintenance and repairs of Federal roads in the State.
Emphasizing the adverse impact of the poor condition of the Ikere-Igbara Odo road on business operations in the area, Olatunbosun stated that the road’s reconstruction would establish an effective link between the State and Igbara-Oke in Ondo State.
He said that the road, when completed, is expected to ease free flow of traffic, contribute to economic growth, boost other social activities in the area and provide easy access to the Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti.
The Commissioner said that the Executive Council also approved the installation of solar streetlight system on the new Ado-Iyin road, Omisanjana junction to Ajebamidele in Ado Ekiti as well as between Mathew junction and Ajilosun via Agric Olope also in the State capital to ensure good visibility at all times for the safety and convenience of road users.
He noted that the conventional streetlights on Ado-Iyin road had hitherto been powered by diesel generators which attracted an undesirable high operational and maintenance cost due to the high cost of diesel and frequent breakdown of the generators, adding that there is also the concern about the system’s high emission of carbon into the environment.
Olatunbosun provided additional details, explaining that a segment of the road, extending from the Government House junction to the INEC office, would be linked to the nearly completed IPP station. Additionally, the administration plans to switch the lighting on the remaining stretch to solar energy as part of cost-cutting measures.
Regarding the approved installation of solar streetlights along the Omisanjana junction to Ajebamidele road through Shepherd School, the government spokesperson emphasized that this initiative, coupled with the ongoing road construction, aims to accelerate infrastructure and economic development in the area. The streetlights are intended to support the government’s efforts in promoting economic growth and preventing criminal activities.
Underlining the strategic significance of the Mathew-Ajilosun road, Olatunbosun highlighted its role as an alternative route connecting two crucial state facilities—the Agric Olope market and Oba Adejugbe hospital.
According to him, the efforts of the present administration in the State have facilitated rapid economic growth in the area that is bound to increase with the influx of market users and dwellers, adding that the installation of streetlights which is a part of the administration’s 5th pillar for infrastructure and industrialization is meant to ensure security in the area.