By Banji Ayoola
Ondo and Ekiti State Governments are awaiting the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari and that of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, to actualise their joint decision to reconstruct the Akure – Ado Ekiti road.
The road, a federal road which links capitals of both neighbouring South western states, and has fallen into ruins unattended to for several years, is a death trap riddled with deep holes, and is not motor-able for several stretches.
The road, of a very short distance, and indeed one of the shortest roads linking two state capitals in the country, which ordinarily should be about 45 minutes journey, now takes about two hours of bumpy, dusty and highly risky ride.
Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, confirmed on Sunday that both state governments have concluded arrangements to construct the failed road.
Reechoing his brother Governor Kayode Fayemi, Akeredolu said that the road, which would be a dual carriage way, would be tolled when completed; and that the project wouldl be financed with a loan from the African Development Bank, ADB.
The Governor who spoke at a Special Thanksgiving Service at the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Mount of Monument of God’s Grace, Otapete Owo, said the move is only awaiting presidential approval and that of the Federal Executive Council(FEC).
At the service attended by his wife, Betty, the Deputy Governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi, members of the State Executive Council, Speaker of the state assembly, Rt Hon Bamidele Oleyelogun, and state lawmakers, the governor said his administration had also firmed up plans to construct a dual carriage virgin road from the southern part of the state to Kogi in the north central region.
He said: “When done, these roads will be tolled so as to enable the state government have a channel of repaying monies that will be spent on them.
“Akure to Ado road, we have written letters to the Federal Government and we are sure that the President will sign it and it will be taken to the FEC.
”We are only waiting for the approval of the FEC, the bank, African Development Bank is ready to give us loan to dualise the road and it will be tolled.”
At the service, Akeredolu urged Christians to be conscious of the Kingdom of God. He charged the congregation to always display character that will be taken with God’s Principle and Commandments.
