By Friday Omosola
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has identified the dualisation of the Akure-Idanre road as a top priority for his administration.
The governor highlighted that this project is crucial for enhancing transportation, particularly for investors eager to explore tourism opportunities in the Idanre Local Government Area.
Governor Aiyedatiwa made this announcement during his campaign visit to Idanre on Tuesday, where he assured residents of comprehensive development initiatives across the council area.
He indicated that construction will commence at the Oke Aro junction in Akure, extending to Idanre, with the contracting documentation already in progress.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving critical infrastructure, boosting economic activities, and ensuring the welfare of residents through sustained and strategic investments.
During a visit to the palace of the Owa of Idanre, High Chief Emmanuel Aladetuyi, the Odunwo of Idanre kingdom, praised the governor’s numerous developmental achievements across the state.
The chief pledged the community’s full support for the governor, while also expressing the need for improvements in healthcare facilities, tourism potential, road networks, access to potable water, and resolution of boundary disputes.
At the palace of Oba Olakunle Ogunlowo, the Awosunye of Atosin-Idanre, the monarch passionately called for the proper channelisation of the Owena Dam to benefit local residents and advocated for the revitalisation of the Idanre Golf Course, which has the potential to enhance tourism and the local economy.
Governor Aiyedatiwa assured the community that their requests would be taken into consideration, reinforcing his administration’s dedication to developmental projects that will uplift the entire state.
Earlier, at Aponmu Lona-Idanre, the Olu of Aponmu Lona, Oba Akinadeju Babatola Bajulaye, underscored the necessity of providing fertilizers for farmers and enhancing security, noting that agriculture is the primary livelihood of the community.
In his address, the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ade Adetimehin, pledged that the government would seriously consider all requests, stating, “Governor Aiyedatiwa is a leader who prioritises the welfare of all citizens, and you can trust that your needs will be addressed.”
The governor reassured the people of Aponmu Lona of his administration’s commitment to their safety, specifically addressing the urgent need to tackle incidents of indiscriminate clearing of cocoa farms, underscoring his focus on protecting farmers’ livelihoods.
At the Palace of the Aladeokun of Alade-Idanre, High Chief Oladipo Akinsanwan, the Regent and Lisa of Alade-Idanre, expressed confidence in an overwhelming victory for Governor Aiyedatiwa in the upcoming election and appealed for the installation of solar-powered streetlights throughout the metropolis.
Regarding water supply, Commissioner for Water Resources, Sunday Akinwalire, detailed ongoing efforts to improve water accessibility across the state.
He noted that Governor Aiyedatiwa has prioritised water infrastructure, with a major initiative, the Akure Water Project, currently underway, aimed at benefiting the Idanre Local Government as part of the central senatorial district.
The commissioner revealed that the governor has released the first tranche of a counterpart fund amounting to ₦2.9 billion, reflecting a clear commitment to ensuring residents have access to clean and safe water.
Adetimehin, Akinwalire, and former House of Representatives member Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye (Small Alhaji) emphasized that the people of Idanre have ample reasons to support Governor Aiyedatiwa in the elections on November 16.
They affirmed that the governor has demonstrated commendable interest in the development of Idanre, and that the local government stands to gain significantly from an Aiyedatiwa administration beyond 2025.
