The Federal Government has commissioned the Efon Alaaye -Erinmo-Iwaraja road which links Ekiti and Osun State, saying that it would boost both commercial, social and developmental activities across the two states.
Spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Ms. Blessing Lere –Adams disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, June 16, 2022.
Ms. Adams said the road linking the two states was commissioned and handed over to the states in Efon Alaaye Ekiti State amid hopes that the new infrastructure will help reduce road fatalities, ease mobility and spur trade within the two states as well as with their neighbouring states.
She disclosed that, President Muhammadu Buhari commissioned the road on Thursday, June 16, 2022, adding that the event was attended by government officials , transport operators, members of parliament and traditional chiefs draped in colourful regalia.
President Buhari who was represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo said: “As you can all see, we are handing over today a 22 kilometre Road, which links the three towns of Efon Alaaye in Ekiti State and Erinmo and Iwaraja in Osun State.”
Buhari remarked: “By linking Ekiti and Osun State together, this road becomes a critical component of our national road network.”
President Buhari further remarked, “This road is also a statement of economic efficiency and ease of doing business. This is because the travel time of averagely one hour before construction has now been reduced to 20minutes with the completion of the road.”
The Representative of the Minister of Works and Housing , the Zonal Director South West in the Ministry, Engr. Ademola Kuti remarked: “The other handing over formalities that will follow these formalities which is flagged off today in Ekiti will also be in : Delta State for Isoko Ring Road Section II covering Aviara -Uzere, Jigawa State for Phase II of Hadejia – Nguru covering Kirikasama -Nguru, Gombe State for Phase II of the Gombe -Numan -Yola Road covering Gombe- Kaltungo , Yobe State for Section II and Phase I of the Nguru -Gashua -Bayamari Road covering Gashua to Bayamari ; Section I, Phase II covering Nguru to Gashua and Nasarawa State for Lafia-Obi-Awe -Tunga Road.”
Fashola continued: “These projects represent major investment in road transport infrastructure, which is a commitment of the Buhari administration as a driver for economic growth and prosperity.”
Ms. Adams stated that the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr.Bashir Nura Alkali who was represented by the Controller of Works Ekiti State, Engr. Ishaq Lawal said: “As part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s developmental agenda of addressing road infrastructural development across the length and breadth of Nigeria, the Federal Government as a policy direction has focused on the completion of several on-going projects to stimulate economic development, job creation and promoting local content.
“The focus is to link the major arterial roads to refineries, ports, tertiary institutions and high volume commercial centres with a view to reducing travel times, vehicle maintenance costs, safety and security of commuters etc.”
