The Ekiti State Executive Council has given the green light for the commencement of work on Phase I of the Ekiti Ring Road, following the approval of cost variation. The construction project is set to transform transportation and boost the state’s development.
The initial award of the project in November 2020 was met with delays due to the COVID-19 outbreak, which disrupted construction activities. Upon the easing of pandemic-related challenges, the construction materials’ prices surged due to volatile foreign exchange rates, double-digit inflation, and market price fluctuations.
Ekiti State Commissioner for Works, Mr. Sola Adebayo, emphasized the road’s significance as a priority project for the state government. The road will connect Iworoko Ekiti, Are, Afao, Araromi Obo, Ekiti Cargo Airport, and Aso Ayegunle, Ijan road. It will not only facilitate access to the cargo airport and the Ekiti Knowledge Zone but also alleviate traffic congestion in Ado metropolis, offering numerous socio-economic benefits to residents and the state at large.
Mr. Adebayo noted that the construction is expected to be completed within 18 to 20 months.
In addition to the road project, the Ekiti State Executive Council also approved the purchase of three 4X2 Hook Arm Garbage trucks and 20 single CBM Dino Bins. This move is aimed at enhancing the state’s efforts to maintain a clean environment, ensuring sanitation improvements and preventing epidemics.
The Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun, underscored the administration’s commitment to rapid development, noting that it aligns with Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s six pillars of governance. This holistic approach is expected to attract investors and create a more favorable living environment for the residents.
The Ekiti Ring Road Phase I is poised to become a crucial infrastructure project that will elevate the state’s status and prosperity, setting it on a path toward a brighter future.
