Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday emphasised the critical role of agriculture as the backbone of the state’s economy, underscoring its importance in sustaining livelihoods and fostering economic development.
According to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor made the remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony of the 3.5km Ebute Ipare-Oke rural road project in Ilaje Local Government Area.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s comments coincide with the state’s ongoing efforts, led by the Ministry of Infrastructure, to rehabilitate roads across the three senatorial districts.
He highlighted his administration’s commitment to transforming rural communities through strategic infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on road construction and rehabilitation.
“Our administration has been making deliberate efforts to implement several life-changing programmes and projects geared towards improving the livelihood and living standard of the rural dwellers and teeming farming population in our dear State through the construction and reconstruction of several bad roads. These we are doing for the rural communities, moreso that agriculture remains the backbone of the economy of Ondo State”, he said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa stressed the critical role of the rural road project in ensuring a reliable flow of food from farms to urban centres, while also improving the socioeconomic conditions of rural dwellers.
He stressed that groundbreaking ceremonies for similar projects have already been held in Oda and Idanre towns in the Central Senatorial District, as well as in Molege, Owo, within the Northern Senatorial District, where contractors have intensified their efforts.
He attributed the progress of these projects to the state’s prompt payment of counterpart funds for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), a collaborative initiative with the World Bank and the French Development Agency.
The governor assured residents of Ilaje that the new road would help bridge the economic divide between rural and urban areas by facilitating smoother transportation and creating more opportunities for local farmers.
Additionally, Governor Aiyedatiwa announced the establishment of nine Agro-Logistics Centers across the state’s three senatorial districts, with Ebute Ipare to Oke-Ipare selected as one of the key beneficiaries.
Speaking on the occasion, Wole Akinkuotu, Administrative Secretary of the Directorate of Rural & Community Development and Chairman of the State Project Monitoring Committee for RAAMP, reiterated the administration’s proactive engagement in the project.
He commended Governor Aiyedatiwa’s unwavering commitment to improving rural accessibility, aligning with his promise to alleviate the hardships faced by rural communities.
More so, the Director General of Ondo RAAMP, Adeniyi Adelabu, expressed gratitude to the governor for honouring his commitment.
He recounted instances where Governor Aiyedatiwa personally reaffirmed his dedication to establishing vital road links between rural and urban areas.
Mr Adelabu praised the governor for treating the project with the urgency it requires, noting that poor road infrastructure has long been a major challenge, often leaving farm produce stranded in rural areas.
