All things been equal,
the Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) would
commence construction works on some of the rural roads identified for
construction in the State by November this year.
The State project
coordinator, Hon. Sunday Adunmo disclosed this in Ado Ekiti at a one-day
sensitization training organized for staff of the project ahead of the
commencement of construction works.
Adunmo who disclosed that
Ekiti was officially added to the participating States last year August after
meeting necessary conditions for the project said the engineering designs for
twelve roads totaling 77km rural roads have been received and would be flagged
off by the end of October, 2023 for construction work to commence.
He added that the project
office last weekend opened tenders for consultancy services for 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 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 said the delay in the
commencement of the project was as 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 would 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 design
and supervision of spot improvement in the State. About three months ago, we
did a similar opening for consultancy services for 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 of the challenges
being faced by farmers particular in this raining season which has made it very
hard for them to transport their farm produce from the farm to the market. I
can assure that very soon, we would provide accessible road to all farms across
the State”, Adunmo assured.
Speaking on the GBV sensitization
programme for staff of the project, the state project coordinator said officers
of the project must not only shun any act of GBV as individuals 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.
Adunmo 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 Gender Based Violence (GBV) Officer, Mrs Bunmi Adeosun delivered lectures
on labour influx, sexual harassment and background information on gender-based
violence.
At the end of the
programme, staff of the project signed a code of conduct for prevention of
Gneder-Based Violence and Violence Against Children.
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