Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has reaffirmed the critical importance of agriculture as the cornerstone of the state’s economy, underscoring its centrality to the livelihoods of citizens and the broader economic development strategy.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the 10.9-kilometer Idanre-Obajare Road in Idanre Local Government Area on Thursday, the Governor emphasized the alignment of the project with his administration’s commitment to improving living standards in the state’s rural communities.
“It is our resolve that the government must, of necessity, do more in the rural areas of Ondo State and would address the economic gap across the State through the provision of basic infrastructure,” Governor Aiyedatiwa stated. “I am glad that the road project which groundbreaking ceremony you are witnessing today is not only fulfilling this aspiration but ensuring the continued actualization of the mandate of RAAMP which is the construction of rural access roads.”
The Governor noted that the project’s initiation was made possible by the government’s consistent payment of counterpart funds for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), supported by the World Bank and the French Development Agency. He also announced plans to establish nine Agro-Logistics centers across the three senatorial districts of Ondo State, aimed at bolstering the agricultural value chain.
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“At this juncture, permit me to emphasize the need for all stakeholders to take ownership of these projects. The contractors handling the construction of our rural roads must be closely supervised to ensure that the quality of the roads is not compromised under any guise,” Governor Aiyedatiwa added. “The fact that these roads have been in a deplorable state for many years makes it imperative that the ongoing intervention must be carried out to the expected threshold of standard.”
Supporting the Governor’s remarks, Mr. Wole Akinkwotu, the Administrative Secretary of the Directorate of Rural & Community Development and Chairman of the State Project Monitoring Committee of RAAMP, praised the administration’s proactive stance in participating in the project. He emphasized Governor Aiyedatiwa’s dedication to improving rural accessibility as a key driver behind the state’s involvement.
In his keynote address, Engr. Adeniyi Adelabu, Director General of Ondo RAAMP, expressed gratitude to the Governor for fulfilling his promise to establish road links between rural areas and urban centers, which is crucial for boosting agriculture and ensuring food security in the state.