According to Sunday Adunmo, the coordinator for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project in Ekiti State, farmers and other impacted parties have received compensation totalling approximately N71.5 million for the rural road construction.
Adunmo added that RAAMP would soon start the upgrading of five rural roads that were started in 2021 during a conversation with journalists on Thursday in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State. The project coordinator listed the five pilot routes for upgrade as Itaji-Orisunmibare road, Iyin – Odo Oro – Aroto road, Ago Aduloju – Kajola road, Imesi -Kosomolate – Ipole road, and Ogotun – Alagbede road.
He said, “We have compensated farmers and individuals impacted by 12 of the 13 rural road construction contracts that RAAMP awarded in the state in July with N71.481 million.”
“The contractors have finished bush removal on the 12 roads where compensations had been
“The contractor was unable to start clearing the bush because there was a delay in paying farmers on the Igbole, Egan, Osi, and Iropora road compensation due to the need for revalidation of the affected persons.”According to Adunmo, the progress report on the 13 road contracts that were awarded in July displayed varying percentages of work completed by each contractor.
He praised the contractors in charge of Oye-Are Road and Ben Folarin-Omisanjana-Oke Aso Road for their work pace, which he said had progressed to concrete works; expressing hope that Oye-Are Road might be completed within 12 months if the contractor continues to work at that rate.
He further stated: “There is no room for shoddy jobs as the ongoing construction works are being monitored by the Project Monitoring Committee and the various agencies of government in charge of project monitoring” .
While discussing the project’s economic benefits to Ekiti residents, the Project Coordinator disclosed that all of the contractors hired both skilled and unskilled workers from the various project-benefiting areas.
Bottom Line
Ekiti State’s decision to compensate farmers and others impacted by road development with N71.5 million under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) is a commendable move. It reflects a balance between infrastructure development and the protection of the livelihoods of local farmers, who often bear the brunt of such projects.
This compensation demonstrates a conscious effort by the government to mitigate the negative effects of development on citizens, particularly in rural areas where agriculture is a key source of income.
The planned upgrades to five rural roads show a strategic focus on improving accessibility and agricultural marketing, which could help farmers transport their produce more efficiently.
This initiative is essential for rural development and economic growth, as better roads can significantly reduce travel time, lower transportation costs, and enhance market access for agricultural goods.
