The Federal Government has delivered and commissioned the long abandoned Efon Alaaye, Erinmo, Iwaraja road, linking Ekiti and Osun States, neglected since about 40 years ago.
This is just as government says more of such important roads had also been completed in other parts of the country,, and equally ready for commissioning.
Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, who spoke at the event yesterday, during the official inauguration and handing over of the road network, said the present government was not leaving any stone untouched, in making life more bearable for the citizenry.
The Minister, who also spoke on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari at the event, said aside from road construction and rehabilitation, the current administration had also embarked on many other life changing projects, which would have direct impact on the people.
According to him, the reconstruction of the of the commissioned road would particularly boost the social and economic activities of the benefiting towns.
Also speaking, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fasola, represented by the Director of Highways, Southwest, Mr. Adedamola Kuti, pointed out that the ministry was working towards ensuring that all federal roads were in good condition.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Alhaji Bashir Nura-Alkali who was represented at the programme said many federal roads across states of the federation had been completed and handed over for use.
He disclosed that President Buhari had approved that Ministers from the various States where such projects had been completed, should represent him to perform the official handover formalities.
Ekiti state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi who spoke through the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi appreciated the federal government for undergoing the road project in the state, saying it would have direct impact on the residents of the areas.
The Senator, representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, commended government fir the project.
He also commended the contractors who handled the project, for delivering quality job, and congratulated the towns for benefiting from the federal government legacy projects.
The Alaaye of Efon Alaaye, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare, who expressed delight over the inauguration, said the the road had been neglected for over 40 years
He called for regular maintenance of the road to ensure it’s durability, while commending government for remembering their towns.
Also, the Awaraja of Iwaraja Ijesa, in Osun State, Oba Sunday Ibironke, explained that with the road in good condition, their communities would be open up for more development.
The Managing Director of KOPEK Construction Limited who handled the project Mr Issam Feghali, said the 22 kilometeres road which was awarded in 2009 was completed in 2019.