Ekiti plans 1,500km rural roads

File photo: Governor Biodun Oyebanji

The Planning Committee for Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s Second Term Inauguration has assured residents that the upcoming administration will focus on strategic interventions to boost the state economy and enhance citizen welfare.

The Committee Chairman and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Oyeniyi Adebayo, gave the assurance on Friday during a press conference in Ado-Ekiti to unveil activities for the October 16 inauguration.

Adebayo noted that the administration recorded landmark achievements in its first term and would consolidate existing programmes while introducing new growth drivers.

“The theme, ‘The Good Work Continues’, reflects the administration’s intention to consolidate existing programmes while introducing further interventions aimed at strengthening the state’s economy and improving the welfare of citizens,” Adebayo said.

He expressed optimism that the second-term administration would usher in accelerated development across key sectors of the state economy.

“As we begin preparations for the second term, the emphasis is on continuity and further development,” he noted. “The governor has stated that the next phase will focus particularly on interventions that add value to the economy, improve productivity, and respond to the needs and aspirations of our people.”

He stated that recent consultative tours across the state’s three senatorial districts identified critical needs in healthcare, power, road networks, water supply, agriculture, human capital development, and economic empowerment.

Adebayo added that a central target of the second term is the delivery of up to 1,500 kilometres of rural roads in partnership with development agencies.

Highlighting infrastructure milestones from the first term, Adebayo cited the completion of the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, which commenced commercial operations in late 2025, as a key driver of investment, trade, tourism, and agricultural exports.

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He said the administration completed over 500 kilometres of inter-city and rural roads, with several others progressing toward completion.

He added that public power supply was extended to communities in Aiyekire, Ekiti East Local Government Area, and the Ikogosi tourism corridor after years of blackout.

On health and education infrastructure, Adebayo noted that over 110 primary healthcare centres and all general hospitals in the state were renovated and equipped with modern facilities.

He added that the administration executed comprehensive renovations across 203 secondary schools, including three special schools, and 950 primary schools statewide.

The government also established nine ICT laboratories in selected secondary schools and technical colleges, alongside new primary schools built under the SUBEB Model School Project.

Furthermore, Adebayo disclosed that N2.158bn was expended on WAEC examination fees for 69,000 students over four years, alongside the distribution of free JAMB forms to 12,400 candidates.

On youth empowerment in agriculture, the committee chairman revealed that over 5,000 youths were engaged in commercial farming through the ‘Bring Back the Youth into Agriculture’ initiative, generating over N1bn in profits within 18 months.

He added that the state disbursed N1.1bn in credit and operational grants to 2,777 beneficiaries, N400m in loans to 443 MSMEs, N450m in grants to 10 agricultural cooperatives, and facilitated free Corporate Affairs Commission registration for 5,400 small businesses.