Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has awarded 13 rural road contracts totaling 65.10 km, valued at about ₦17,219,565,143.22, to seven contractors. This move is in a bid to increase agricultural infrastructure towards making the state the food basket of the South West.
During the contract signing ceremony in Ado Ekiti, Hon. Sunday Adunmo, the State Project Coordinator, emphasised the significance of the project, highlighting its expected completion within 18 months of commencement. He stressed the importance of quality work and adherence to contractual standards including local content compliance, warning that substandard performance would lead to contract termination. Adunmo also highlighted the requirement for contractors to hire local employees, thus creating employment opportunities and improving rural livelihoods.
The project to rehabilitate 65.1km of rural roads, which began with advertisements for bids in national dailies, received 93 bids out of which seven (7) were selected based on merit. Adunmo assured that the selection process was transparent and not influenced by political patronage. He also mentioned that the Project Monitoring Committee of RAAMP and other relevant government agencies would ensure compliance with the agreements.
The awarded roads include:
– Enu Odi-Igirigiri Road
– Omisanjana-Ben Folarin-Oke Aso Road
– Ise-Imola Road
– Owode-Anaye Road
– Afolu-Odofin Road
– Oye-Are Road
– Ilupeju-Igbo Egan Road
– Iye-Isapa-Olopemeji-Ikun Road
– Erinmope-Irare-Ikosu Road
– Igbole-Egan-Osi-Iropora Road
– FMS Farm-Oke Ako Road
– Ikogosi-Aba-Ori Okuta-Ikogosi Road
– Ara-Ekameta School Road
The contractors for these projects are:
Messrs. Dominant Engineering (Lot 1)
Messrs. Hallekem Limited (Lot 2)
Messrs. Millennium Technical Nigeria Limited (Lot 3)
Messrs. Tundis Nigeria Limited (Lot 4)
Messrs. Jadfem Nigeria Limited (Lot 5)
Messrs. HMF Construction Limited (Lot 6)
Messrs. Heriprom Engineering Limited (Lot 7)
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade, reiterated the government’s vision to revamp the agricultural sector, ensuring farmers receive value for their labour while achieving food sufficiency.
Other state officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro; the Head of Service, Dr Folakemi Olomojobi; and the Commissioner for Transportation; Mr Kolawole Ajobiewe, urged the contractors to meet expectations and complete the projects promptly.
The Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatubosun, praised Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his commitment to state development, noting that these rural roads add to over 25 other state roads undertaken by the administration within 18 months. Olatubosun highlighted a recent multibillion-naira memorandum of understanding with an investor in the agricultural sector as part of the governor’s efforts to make Ekiti State a food hub for the southwestern region.
Hon. Femi Ajayi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Independent Project Monitoring, assured contractors of regular site visits to ensure timely and quality road completion.
Peoplesmind