Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has stated that the ongoing Ring Road project in the state is designed to create and develop Ado Ekiti into a new city.
The governor stated that the road which links Iworoko Road with the International Agro Cargo Airport would bring about a new controlled city in the axis, without altering the Ado-Ekiti traditional setting.
The Ado Ekiti New City project which would be a well-planned residential neighbourhood, Oyebanji said, will exist side-by-side with the traditional section of the state capital.
The Governor made this known during the commissioning of three new road projects in Ado Ekiti – Jimoh Aliu-Adewumi Road along Adebayo area, Hospitals Management Board/Doctors’ Quarters Road and Obisesan-Oke Ala Link Road along Basiri area of the capital city.
The new roads were also complemented with solar-powered street lights to facilitate illumination and boost nightlife.
The Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, Aladesanmi III who was a special guest at the event, cut the tape to declare Jimoh Aliu – Adewunmi Road open, while the Hospitals Management/Doctors’ Quarters Road was commissioned by the Governor himself.
Obisesan-Oke Ala Link Road was commissioned by an elder stateswoman, Chief (Mrs) Ronke Okusanya who resides on the street.
Speaking at all the three locations, Governor Oyebanji said, “All these are about our people. We campaigned on certain promises and I’m glad that gradually we are fulfilling the promises to our people. The roads have been strategically chosen to ensure that we give exit and access to our people and also to open up inner cities in Ado .
“Our intention is to develop Ado Ekiti without altering its traditional setting because it is in our interest to keep Ado the way it is while we give the people the opportunity for a new town, that is why we are constructing the Ring Road.
“When the Ring Road is commissioned, people are free to take positions. The place is going to be developed as a new city for Ado that those interested in living in a very well-designed environment, working with our Bureau of Housing can go to the place to build their house and the development there will be controlled. We will retain the traditional Ado and we have a new Ado, the two will coexist together”.
He revealed that no fewer than 16 road projects are ongoing in different parts of the state in addition to comprehensive renovation of 11 general hospitals.
Governor Oyebanji added that the communities have roles to play in the maintenance and longevity of the new roads by not blocking the drains with refuse which could render the roads waterlogged and thereby damaging the roads.
The Ewi, Oba Adejugbe, commended the Governor for starting well, noting that the love the people of the state have for him and his administration is unprecedented because “he has been performing very well to the admiration of the people.”
The royal father who also described Oyebanji as a “well brought up person,” said he was not surprised that Vice President Kashim Shettima recently described him as the type of governor Nigerians need while also rallying more support for him as he nears the midterm of his administration.
Other community leaders like Chief Okusanya, Chief Afolabi Ogunlade and Mr. Olusegun Arifalo who spoke on behalf of the leaders and residents of the benefiting communities assured the Governor of support for a second term bid for the good work to continue in the state.