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From Priscilla Ediare, Ado Ekiti
The Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) will commence construction works on some of the rural roads that have been identified for construction in the state by November.
The state’s project coordinator, Hon. Sunday Adunmo, made the disclosure in Ado Ekiti, the capital of the state at a one-day sensitization training organized for staff of the project ahead of the commencement of construction works.
Adunmo hinted that Ekiti was officially added to the participating States last year in August after meeting the necessary conditions for the project.
He said that the engineering designs for twelve roads totalling 77km of rural roads had been received and would be flagged off by the end of October 2023 for construction work to commence.
Adunmo explained that the project office last weekend opened tenders for consultancy services for the design and supervision of spot improvement of 122km of rural roads as part of phase one while construction of rural road upgrading would be advertised next year
The state’s project coordinator who said the project office is not unaware of the transportation challenges being faced by farmers in the state, assured that rural communities in the state would soon become sites for massive road construction works.
Adunmo clarified that the delay in the commencement of the project was a result of the need to adhere strictly to the procedures of the donor partner, the World Bank, whose commitment to due process and transparency is irrevocable
” Permit me to use this medium to inform you that construction work will soon start on some of our road projects.
” I am aware that Ekiti people have patiently waited for the commencement of the project since 2018 when former Governor Kayode Fayemi indicated the interest of Ekiti State to participate in the project.
“The delay is not unconnected to the fact that we must follow the necessary procedures for construction works to begin. I am happy that last week, Ekiti RAAMP had an opening of tenders from different bidders for consultancy services for the design and supervision of spot improvement in the state. About three months ago, we did a similar opening for consultancy services for the design and supervision of backlog maintenance and negotiation and award are ongoing.
“Soon, we shall advertise for construction. In a couple of weeks, Ekiti State would become a site for massive construction works on our rural roads.
“We are not oblivious to the challenges being faced by farmers, particularly in this rainy season which has made it very hard for them to transport their farm produce from the farm to the markets. I can assure you that very soon, we will provide accessible roads to all farms across the state.”
Speaking on the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) sensitization programme for staff of the project, Adunmo said officers of the project must not only shun any act of GBV but also ensure that such acts are strongly avoided in all project benefitting communities as a single reported case of GBV may hinder the progress of the project.
He said all staff of the project as well as contractors must sign a code of conduct that they would not engage in any act of GBV.
During the sensitization training, the project’s GBV Officer, Mrs Bunmi Adeosun, delivered lectures on labour influx, sexual harassment and background information on GBV.
At the end of the programme, the staff of the project signed a code of conduct for the prevention of Gender-Based Violence and violence against children.
