The Ado-Ifaki Highway (as shown in the inset) – Governor Oyebanji
Numerous inhabitants of Ekiti State are overflowing with unparalleled delight following the completion of a significant highway they believed would take an eternity to rebuild and open for public use. Previously, this highway was responsible for numerous fatalities, countless vehicle damages, spoiled cargo, and various other losses suffered by those who traveled on it.
However, Governor Biodun Oye-banji managed to break a longstanding curse surrounding the construction of the Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki Highway. This challenge had been glaringly evident to the residents of the state until it encountered an unwavering governor committed to completing the project swiftly within just two and a half years, marking significant progress during this period.
The development of the dual carriageway, initiated around 2007 under the tenure of the previous governor, Chief Segun Oni, has spanned multiple administrations—more than five in total. This process has been quite tumultuous, continuing for as long as eighteen years. At one point, residents of Ekiti State lost hope in seeing this project completed due to its seemingly never-ending nature, resembling an endless relay race without conclusion.
The initiative began under the tenure of the Oni Administration and was subsequently taken over by the initial term of ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi, followed by the subsequent administration led by former Governor Ayodele Fayose. It then continued into Dr. Fayemi’s second term before being carried forward by the current Oyebanji Administration.
It is important to mention that the Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki Highway is classified as a Trunk ‘A’ road, also referred to as a federal highway. This key route connects Ado Ekiti, which serves as the state capital, with various communities within the Ekiti North Senatorial District.
In addition to this, the road acts as a significant alternate route for accessing neighboring states such as Osun, Oyo, Kwara, Kogi, Federal Capital Territory, and various northern states. This raised questions among locals about why such a crucial project experienced such extensive delays.
Many of the people residing in Ado Ekiti and working at crucial establishments such as Ekiti State University, Federal Teaching Hospital in Ido Ekiti, Federal University in Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State Polytechnic in Isan Ekiti, and more, rely heavily on this road for their daily commutes to get where they need to go.
Before the Oyebanji Administration came to office, work on the road project was stalled due to some contractual and legal issues. Determined to ensure that the delay was overcome, the Oyebanji Administration decided to confront and surmount the challenges in the interest of road users.
Governor Oyebanji has always maintained that whether any road belongs to the federal government or the state government, as long as the road is domiciled on Ekiti soil, it is the people of the state that would be the major beneficiaries if the road is good and that is why his administration would not discriminate in giving it due attention.
After resolving the complex issues that had been hindering the project, the Governor made sure the contractor returned to the site to resume work simultaneously from both the Ado end and the Iworoko end, with plans to meet at the Ifaki intersection.
With his avowed steely determination to crack a seemingly hard nut, Governor Oyebanji ensured adequate monitoring of the project with several visits to the site, asking the contractor and the engineers questions and seeking clarifications.
In fact, the several days of rock blasting and using the chips of the rock as the stone base of the highway, especially the lane that had not been concluded, left motorists and commuters wondering what was going on and pondering on when it would be concluded.
The Governor, even on days he attended ceremonial functions, would stop his convoy and alight from his official vehicle to assess the level of work carried out in a bid to ensure that the project was completed to the relief of the people in good time.
A drive on the highway today would elicit smiles on the faces of the road users and a sense of delight and fulfillment in their hearts because the patience, inconvenience and perseverance they had endured in the past has paid off.
Both from the Ado end and the Iworoko-Ifaki end, it has been a pleasant story in the past few days that major work has been done on the road which has been crowned with the asphalt overlay.
The annoying potholes that used to trouble drivers and commuters are gone. Dusty conditions belong to the past as well; currently, we enjoy a smooth roadway featuring a sleek, glossy finish thanks to the recently applied layer of asphalt.
The hard nut of the construction of the highway which has just been cracked by Governor Oyebanji is being celebrated many prominent individuals, communities, drivers, commuters and other people who would benefit from the impact of the road. They are excited by the relief and the new lease of life the road is giving them now after suffering from the terrible condition of its dilapidated state in the past
Respected community leader, High Chief Laolu Omosilade, says the highway has added to many other legacy projects carried out by Governor Oyebanji for which he would be remembered long after he might have left office as the state helmsman. Chief Omosilade, who holds the title of Sapetu of Afao Ekiti and former Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), hails the Governor for giving his all to the project to bring smiles to the faces of many people in the state.
He said: “When you look around, you will know that Governor Oyebanji has touched and completed all the abandoned projects by all the former governors in the State aside from his own new infrastructural projects. The Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki road was nothing to write home about in the past. It’s only God that gave Governor Oyebanji the wherewithal to complete that road, what has been done by others but not possible indeed.
“With this, I appeal to the people of Ekiti State, especially the electorate to think twice and make a return of massive votes for this workaholic Governor of our generation to continue his good deeds for a second term in office, so that Ekiti can be well developed by the grassroots man and leading leader, more so that his activities could be felt in all the strata of life.
“With all these, one needs no wonder to ponder on why all the former Governors, various groups and associations, including all sorts of individuals are either craving for or calling for the Governor’s second term involvement, thereby turning the State to Oyebanji’s Endorsement and Awards galleria.
We’ve witnessed situations where Ekiti residents are advising those who remain keen on campaigning for the gubernatorial position to take it easy and avoid spending their resources on initiatives unlikely to succeed. Despite all the efforts of BAO in Ekiti, he is slowly becoming the new architect of modern Ekitiland.
Mrs. Ruth Olasehinde, who works at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Ido Ekiti, mentions that traveling to her workplace from Ado Ekiti has significantly improved due to the enhanced state of the road. She expressed gratitude towards the governor for ensuring the completion of this project despite it being classified as a federal road.
She stated, “Oyebanji merits recognition for refraining from using the excuse that the highway is a federal road. While we are aware of the difficulties associated with federal roads across various regions, the Governor demonstrated substantial dedication to complete the project. This effort has significantly improved our lives. My commute to work has become quicker due to the road renovation, and everyone who uses it regularly is now experiencing greater comfort.”
A commercial driver, Mr Femi Adaralegbe, opines that his colleagues and the passengers they convey on daily basis are happy for the completion of work on the road, noting that it has boosted their own vocation and they no longer exercise fear on possible damage to their vehicles.
“Everyone in Ekiti was aware of the state of this road; we all remembered how it once was. However, things have taken a turn for the better. Governor Oyebanji has transformed the condition of this road, which is precisely why various transportation groups, including NURTW, RTEAN, and even commercial motorcycle riders, back him. When election day arrives, we will show our support through our votes,” stated Adaralegba.
Another resident, Mr Joseph Daramola, noted that the multiplier effects of the newly-reconstructed road would be felt all towns and communities it passes through as it would boost social, economic, educational, tourism and transportation on daily basis, adding values to lives and grassroots economy.
“This road that has just been done means a lot not only to the people of Ado, Iworoko and Ifaki alone but to all communities that this road connects. With diversion of more traffic to it with its present state, the towns along the road will feel the impact of economic activities, more people will come to Ekiti from neighbouring states because they will be forced to make use of this road to reach their destinations,” Daramola said.
Governor Oyebanji has done it again and history would be kind to him long after he might have left office. He has proved again what determination and resilience can do. The Governor has surmounted a huge barrier and had endured so many inconvenience and sleepless nights to deliver comfort for the people of Ekiti State and others road users passing through the state.
It’s worth mentioning that this same highway will connect with the new Ring Road currently being constructed, which links Iworoko, Are with Ago Aduloju and eventually extends to the Ekiti State International Agro Cargo Airport. Upon completion, the advantages offered by this Ring Road are incredibly promising and impossible to quantify.
Residents of Ado Ekiti, Iworoko Ekiti, Ifaki Ekiti, and numerous other communities depending on the recently rebuilt highway for their everyday economic activities eagerly anticipate the inauguration ceremony. They plan to express their happiness and gratitude towards a governor who has significantly improved their lives.
At last, the curse has been lifted, and the celebrations have only just started.
*Ogunmola serves as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media (Print Media)
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
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