By Precious Oham
The Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, RAAMP, has signed a N17.2 billion contract agreement for the maintenance and rehabilitation of rural roads to enhance rural connectivity and boost food production in the State.
The state project coordinator of RAAMP, Sunday Adunmo, disclosed this during the signing of the contract agreement papers with contractors in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.
Adunmo, who highlighted the efforts of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in navigating the challenges to get the project started, added that the governor has consistently funded the State’s counterpart contributions and ensured the passage of the State Road Fund and Rural Access Road Authority laws.
He charged the successful bidders to live up to expectations and deliver quality work noting that RAAMP will not tolerate substandard work and will terminate contracts that did not meet up to performance standards.
He urged them to ensure that the 18-month completion period for the projects is not compromised adding that 7 bids were successful after receiving 93 bids.
The 13-road projects to be executed under the backlog maintenance/rehabilitation of rural roads in the three senatorial districts of the State include; Enu Odi-Igirigiri, Omisanjana-Ben Folarin-Oke Aso, Ise-Imola, Owode-Anaye, Afolu-Odofin, Oye-Are roads.
Others are; Ilupeju-Igbo Egan, Iye-Isapa-Olopemeji-Ikun, Erinmope-Irare-Ikosu, Igbole-Egan-Osi-Iropora, FMS Farm Oke-Ako, Ikogosi-Aba-Ori Okuta-Ikogosi and Ara-Ekameta School roads.
The State Commissioner For Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade said the road interventions will ease the burden on the farmers saying that they suffer over 45% losses due to bad roads.
The Commissioner assured the Ministry’s maximum support to the contractors for the actualization of the contract execution within the specified period of time.
His words: “The people suffered about 45% of post-harvest losses due to bad roads. So, farmers that have gone to the farm for a whole year have purchased high inputs, some by credit while some by loans. At the end of the day, taking the produce from the farmsteads to the market suffers 45% losses.
“I was here in March during the opening of the bid and today we have contractors that will be undergoing the whole process. I wish the contractors a successful undertaking of the road and we will give you all the necessary support and anywhere you want us to come in to ensure that you delivered.
“The six-pillar of Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration is gradually unfolding. These are for rural infrastructure. We are not throwing the fund into the drain. We are taking it into very special sector that can have multiply effect in everything that we do.
“I wish all of us a successful implementation and after 18 months we will be going to everywhere to celebrate the successful completion of this contract, which we believe will have a multiplying effect and positive effect on our food system in Ekiti State.”
Similarly, the Special Adviser/Director General, Office of Transformation and Service Delivery, OTSD, John Moyo Ekundayo revealed that there will be joint monitoring alongside other agencies to ensure qualitative and timely project execution.
According to him; “this is a real initiative by RAAMP. We commend the team for what they are doing. It’s a new season in Ekiti State. I want you to roll up your sleeves.
“Jointly, we will be carrying out monitoring, evaluation and learning. You will do it well and we believe it will be qualitative and timely to earn Ekiti some credit so that we can go forward.”
In the same vein, the Director-General, Bureau of Local Content, Olalekan Ijidale said that the State government will sanction contractors who violate the local content law in the State.
He urged the contractors to comply with the local content law by incorporating 40% of Ekiti indigenes as skilled and unskilled workers and also source materials in the State.
Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Director of Tundis Nigeria Ltd, Tunde Fagbooyo promised to meet up with the duration for the execution of the project.
According to him; “we as contractors will make sure that we give top quality to the jobs and deliver at the right time. We will make sure that Ekiti people enjoy the value for their money. I want to assure you that in less than 18 months, we will all gather again to deliver the project.”
The seven successful bidders include; Dominant Engineering, Hallekem Ltd, Millennium Technical Nigeria Ltd, Tundis Nigeria Ltd, Jadfem Nigeria Ltd, HMF Construction Ltd and Heriprom Engineering Ltd.
