From Emmanuel Onwusoro, Ado-Ekiti
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has decried the deplorable condition of some federal roads in the state, describing it as a source of concern to him,.
He expressed the hope that the reconstruction of the roads would be realized in the 2024 Federal Government budget having received assurances of Federal Lawmakers.
Oyebanji who explained that the state could not invest heavily in the federal roads because of the Federal government’s no- refund- to states policy, promised to provide alternative roads that would give the commuters respite while traveling across Ekiti.
He also declared that the state’s airport would become fully operational by July, and would aide transportation and economic development of the state.
As a way of bailing the citizens out of poor state federal roads, the governor stated that the state government, has commenced the Ado Ekiti Ring Road Construction to give commuters thorough fare in and out of Ekiti.
He also allayed the fears of land owners over compensation for damaged crops. He said adequate compensation would be paid to affected individuals and families .
“I am indeed worried by the deplorable state of our federal roads. Our people must get this right, we can’t construct these roads because there will be no refunds. But I have sat with our Federal Lawmakers and they have included some of these roads in the 2024 Budget. I have seen evidence that this has been done.
“Within the next few months, our people will start seeing changes. I have got the assurances of the leader of Ekiti caucus and Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele that efforts are being made to call attention to these roads.
On the N15,000 wage award approval for workers, which critics branded as paltry in view of the parlous economic situation, Oyebanji said it was just a temporary measure to buffer the effect of economic crunch on workers pending the final decision on minimum wage.
