23rd December, 2021
Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has stated the benefits of the new dual carriageway linking Ado Ekiti with Iyin.
He stated this when he commissioned the road on Wednesday 22 December 2021.
This completed phase will, according to him, “open our State capital to further expansion, reduce travelling time between the two towns, ease the stress of commuters, and enhance the marketability of our farm produce.”
PMNEWS added two other benefits : road safety and security.
There are some dangerous bends in a hilly section between Ado and Iyin, on the old road. It is called Akonasan.
For years, it was a death trap for motorists. As they tried to negotiate the bends, on many occasions, vehicles would lose control and fall into the abyss below.
Worse still, the place was a den of thieves who took advantage of the area where motorists had to slow down to strike. The new road has cut off the hellish section.
Early this year when PMNEWS visited Ekiti, the Governor’s Chief Photographer, Femi Adagunodo, drove the reporter to the project site. Rocks were still being broken with dynamites to open the place up.
Now, with its completion, Ekiti people can now heave a sigh of relief. New building projects will soon start to spring up in the axis like button mushrooms.
The road was originally awarded in 1978 by the then Military Government of General Olusegun Obasanjo but was abandoned shortly after.
Fayemi added: “Our administration commenced construction of the road in February 2019. From the inception, the road was meant to be Ado-Efon road but due to the paucity of funds, we decided to construct it in phases. I am pleased to share that the first phase which links Ado to Iyin has been completed.
“This completed phase will open our State capital to further expansion, reduce travelling time between the two towns, ease the stress of commuters, and enhance the marketability of our farm produce.
“As a government, we understand and appreciate the importance of good road network to the socio-economic development of our dear state. We remain committed to working for our people to the very last day of our mandate.”
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; Chief of Staff, Biodun Omoleye and the Head of Service, Mrs Peju Babafemi.
Traditional rulers, led by the Chairman Council of traditional rulers and Onisan of Isan Ekiti, Oba Gabriel Adejuwon; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe were also there.