Governor Makinde Unveils Ambitious Road Construction Plan to Boost Agriculture and Economy

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has announced that the state government will soon commence the construction of 1,000 kilometers of rural roads to facilitate farming and the transportation of agricultural produce from rural areas to urban centers. The governor revealed this during a special plenary session marking the first anniversary of the 10th Assembly and presented a State of the State Address at the Oyo State House of Assembly Complex, Agodi, Ibadan.

In a press release signed by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, on June 13, 2024, it was stated that these farm roads would be constructed under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), with procurement processes already completed and mobilization to sites expected shortly.

Additionally, Governor Makinde has authorized the 33 Local Government Areas to grade 30 kilometers of road each. “Our template has been very simple. We felt that we should connect all our zones first. If we can go from zone A to Zone B and to Zone C, then, 50 percent of our problems would have been solved. After that, we could start fixing the inner roads,” said Governor Makinde.

The governor expressed appreciation for the support from the House of Assembly and the people of Oyo State, highlighting the significant increase in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N4.2 billion in 2023 to N4.95 billion in the first quarter of 2024. He emphasized that the administration’s policies and projects over the past five years have aimed to restore the dignity and pride of Oyo State.

Governor Makinde outlined his administration’s achievements across key areas such as education, health, security, and economic expansion through infrastructure development, agribusiness, tourism, and solid mineral development. He also introduced the Sustainable Actions for Economic Recovery (SAfER) initiative, designed to mitigate the impact of subsidy removal on state residents, featuring measures such as food relief packages, transport subsidies, food security measures, health insurance provisions, and support for small and micro enterprises and civil servants.

Highlighting infrastructure projects, the governor noted the successful connection of all state zones through key road constructions like the 65 km Moniya-Ijaiye-Iseyin Road, the 34.85 km Oyo-Iseyin Road, and the 76.67 km Iseyin-Fapote-Ogbomoso Road named Adebayo Alao-Akala Memorial Highway. Other significant projects include the 12.5 km Challenge-Odo Ona Elewe-Elebu-Apata Road Dualisation, the 8.2 km Agodi Gate-Old Ife Road-Adegbayi Road Dualisation with an underpass at Onipepeye area, and the ongoing reconstruction of the 48 km Ido-Eruwa Road to link Ibadan and Ibarapa Zones.

Governor Makinde also highlighted the state’s emergence as a regional agribusiness industrial hub, with the Fasola Agribusiness Industrial Hub on the Oyo-Iseyin Road hosting significant agricultural enterprises such as FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Milkin Barn Agro Services Ltd, and IITA platform Generative and GOSEED Vegetative Ltd.

The governor reiterated his commitment to building strong institutions to guarantee the well-being and prosperity of Oyo State, stressing the importance of support and collective responsibility to address the state’s challenges.

Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, commended the lawmakers’ dedication and collaboration with the executive branch in transforming the state. He attributed the House’s achievements to the unwavering support of Governor Makinde, noting his advancement of good governance.

The event saw the attendance of notable dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Bayo Lawal; PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; former Deputy Governors Engr. Hamid Gbadamosi and Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi; Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi; Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni; political functionaries, traditional rulers, and religious leaders.

PHOTO: Oyo Gov’s Media Unit.