Five Firms Get N16.3bn for 68km Rural Roads in Oyo

The roads, according to the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Olasunkanmi Olaleye, cut across five local government areas of the state.

He said the project was expected to have a positive impact on lives of rural communities, farmers, and traders as well as market hubs to reduce post-harvest loss of agricultural products.

The Commissioner urged the firms to execute quality and satisfactory jobs since they emerged from the highly competitive bidding and procurement processes.

Mr Olaleye explained that the phase 1 intervention roads of backlog maintenance/rehabilitation and cross drainage structures would include the Fashola Farm settlement road networks in Oyo West, the Oloko Oyo Junction-Ikere Junction in Iseyin Local Government, the Alako-Idiya-Batake-Olowa Farm settlement in Ido Local Government, the Adebayo-Alata-Aba Oje in Oluyole local government, the Okudi-Oyada road in ATISBO Local Government, and the Tewure-Ila junction road in Oriire local government.

The contractors awarded the road projects are Dephhanny’s Venture Limited, Messrs CGC Nigeria Limited, Messrs Coastline Engineering Limited, Messrs Lopek Engineering and Construction Limited, and Messrs E.A.A Engineering Limited.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Abosede Owoeye, said that the objectives align with the vision of Governor Seyi Makinde to support farmers with the necessary equipment to enhance food security, adding that this was one step closer to achieving its goals of promoting economic growth, improving livelihoods, and enhancing food security.

She, therefore, thanked the federal government, the World Bank, and the French Development Agency for the support.

In her remarks, the Oyo State Project Coordinator for Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, Ms Adeola Ekundayo, urged the contractors to cooperate with stakeholders who will be monitoring their activities.