Fayemi constructs Ekiti road abandoned 41 years ago
…Gov’s aide, Gallaxy, says project will bring development to the state, restore long lost legacy
By OLORUNSOLA HONEY AANU & Amonimo Imole-AYO DANIEL.
Come Thursday, January 24, a new chapter of development will open in Ekiti State as Governor, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi will flag off the construction of the new Iyin Road which was abandoned some 41 years ago after it was first awarded by the military administration between 1977-1978.
According to Mr. Sunday Adumo, alias Gallaxy, the former Senior Special Adviser to Governor Fayemi on roads who is also going to be overseeing the construction of the road, the new Iyin road is very strategic to opening up Ekiti State to the outside world, attract more investors to engender greater development and give more beauty to the state capital.
Galaxy, who spoke to newsmen at his prestigious hotel, AB hotel in Adebayo area of Ado Ekiti on Tuesday night, explained that Governor Fayemi’s decision to construct the road is part of his commitment to restore the long lost legacy of Ekiti: “The new Iyin Road was first awarded in 1977 -78 by the military administration. The idea then was to open up Ekiti and connect us to the western world, and bring succour to our people because in the 70s when you are coming from Ibadan, you get to Ilesha and connect Ekiti through Aramoko, Ijero, Ipoti, Oye and Ikole, Igbemo, Are and Ado etc, that is the original road we inherited from the colonial rulers and that is the best road which is central to connecting Ekiti to all other states, ” he said.
Adumo, who was a member of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and had served as Deputy Director General of John Kayode Fayemi (JKF) campaign organisation, revealed that the new Iyin road was part of Fayemi’s idea of completing all abandoned projects and local industries earlier planned to make Ekiti great: “
During the first tenure of Fayemi, he initiated an idea of reconstructing the abandoned roads and other moribund projects in Ekiti which included the Ikogosi warm spring, Ire Bricks, all roads linking the communities among others, that was why he took bonds at the capital market to do all these.
“It was what led to the construction of many roads then which included Aramoko, Ijero, and Ipoti roads linking Erinjinyan among others. If you look at the condition of the road along Akonosan from Lagos, which we had inherited from the colonial masters , it has become a den of armed robbers and kidnappers and it has become a spot for regular accident. That is why we wanted a better, alternative route in the new Iyin road project. We want to expand that old Iyin road and make it four lanes now and make it modern. We will be excavating some rocks and hills. By the time that road is completed, you will see more beauty of Ekiti, especially viewing it from the hilly part of the road,” he said.
Adumo urged Ekiti people to cooperate with Governor Fayemi during his second tenure, assuring that the Governor now has a better grasp of what to do to make Ekiti great and join the comity of other states already doing well: ” This is our government because Dr John Kayode Fayemi is my mentor and leader in whom I am well pleased. You will see that there is a big difference between Fayemi and Fayose which is like going to London and returning. I think he came before his time in his first tenure, he overrated Ekiti that time as he wanted everything done in a jiffy.
That we lost the election then was a blessing.
He now understand it better. Now, he will drive the developmental train with us and he be a driver of the vehicle for development and make us comfortable passenger. Knowing that this man is addicted to developing Ekiti.
He is committed to the development of the state, he isn’t a spoiler. He will spend your money for you and you will be pleased.
I know that Ekiti now knows him better, and nobody can deceive them Ekiti. This next four years you will see a huge difference in governance. Ekiti this time around should be prepared to get to another level to join the comity of other states that are doing well.”
