The Ekiti State Government has approved over N2.51bn for projects covering road construction, compensation to property owners and agriculture initiatives.
The Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, disclosed this in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Thursday on the approvals granted at the State Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday.
He listed the projects covered by the amount as the construction of the GRA 3rd Extension to the Pavilion, New Iyin Road, Ado Ekiti; compensation for 318 property owners whose lands and properties were affected by the expansion and rehabilitation of the road from Odo-Ado Roundabout to the Golf Club along Ijan Road, Ado Ekiti; and the construction of 32 cribs across 12 locations to enhance the storage capacity of grains.
He stated, “The SEC approved ₦2.187bn for the construction of the GRA 3rd Extension to the Pavilion, New Iyin Road, Ado Ekiti.
“The approval is aimed at enhancing connectivity within the GRA axis and strengthening the road network linking the GRA 3rd Extension to New Iyin Road, thereby improving traffic flow and overall urban mobility in Ado Ekiti.
“The contracts for the construction of GRA 3rd Extension Roads Phases I, II and III were earlier awarded to Messrs Rudy Construction Nigeria Limited. While Phases I and II have been substantially completed, significant progress has also been recorded on Phase III (Ajila Jakande Crescent – TA Suites Hotel Road).
“It was subsequently observed that extending the road to the Pavilion would create a strategic linkage to New Iyin Road and further complement the existing road infrastructure within the axis; hence, the extension contract was awarded to Messrs Rudy Construction, considering the contractor’s proven performance on the previous phases and its proximity to the project site.”
The commissioner added that the state government also approved ₦184.8m as compensation for 318 property owners whose lands and properties were affected by the expansion and rehabilitation of the road from Odo-Ado Roundabout to the Golf Club along Ijan Road, Ado Ekiti.
He said, “The approval followed the Federal Government’s plan to reconstruct and widen the Ado-Ijan Road, a critical access route linking Ado Ekiti, the state capital, to neighbouring states, and accommodating heavy vehicular traffic from major institutions, including Afe Babalola University, Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti and the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport.
“While the road is a trunk ‘A’ highway under Federal Government jurisdiction, the responsibility for compensating affected property owners rests with the state government in line with existing regulations.”
Olatunbosun said the list of claimants, drawn up following due process, was approved in line with Governor Oyebanji’s administration’s commitment to improving socio-economic well-being through accessible and modern road networks.
According to him, the SEC also approved the construction of 32 cribs across 12 locations in the state to enhance the storage capacity of maize and other grains under the Bring Back Our Youths to Agriculture Scheme, in line with the Oyebanji administration’s agricultural development agenda.
He stated that “the project, valued at ₦240m, will be executed by MARFIK-T Investment Limited and funded from the 2026 State Budget, with completion expected in eight weeks.
“The initiative aims to boost food storage capacity, reduce post-harvest losses and empower youths engaged in agriculture across the state.”
He listed the communities where the cribs would be constructed as Oke Ako (3 units), Ado Ekiti (4), Ikere Ekiti (3), Ise Ekiti (2), Eporo (3), Ose/Emure (2), Aramoko Ekiti (4), Ogotun Ekiti (1), Egbe Ekiti (1), Omuo Ekiti (1), Iyemero (4) and Gede (4).
Olatunbosun said the initiative underscored the state government’s commitment to youth empowerment, agricultural development and food security, ensuring that young farmers have the necessary facilities to store grains and minimise post-harvest losses while contributing to the socio-economic growth of the state.
Credit: punchng.com
