The Ekiti State Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) has awarded 13 rural road contracts worth N17.2 billion to seven contractors as part of plans by the state government to provide agricultural infrastructure aimed at making the state the food basket of the South West.
Speaking during the contract signing in Ado Ekiti, the State Project Coordinator, Sunday Adunmo, said the project, which is a dream come true, is expected to be delivered within eighteen months of the award.
The project coordinator, who charged the seven contractors to live up to expectations by delivering quality work, said Ekiti RAAMP would not “tolerate substandard work and will terminate contracts not meeting performance standards.”
Adunmo equally told the contractors to abide by the rules of engagement by hiring local employees to create employment opportunities and improve rural livelihoods.
The Development Communication Officer, Ekiti RAAMP, O’Seun Ogunsakin, said in a statement, “Today’s event concludes the process that began earlier this year when we advertised Requests for Bids for 65.10 km of rural roads for rehabilitation in national dailies.
A pre-bid meeting in March this year ensured transparency and fairness in the selection process. After receiving 93 bids, we are pleased to announce that 7 bids were successful.
“Let me use this opportunity to charge the successful bidders to live up to expectations and deliver quality work. Your selection was based on merit, not political patronage.
“RAAMP will not tolerate substandard work and will terminate contracts that do not meet performance standards.
“The Project Monitoring Committee of RAAMP and relevant government agencies, such as the Local Content Office, among others, would visit your site to check your level of compliance with the agreement you are signing with us today.”
While commending the State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for consistently providing counterpart funds for the project, the Project Coordinator stressed that the Governor’s commitment to the success of the project was evident in his several visits to the World Bank’s Nigeria office on the need to fast-track the commencement of the project.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, reiterated the vision of the Oyebanji-led government to reposition the agriculture sector in the state.
The Commissioner highlighted some of the steps taken by the state government to ensure that farmers get value for their labour while the state becomes food-sufficient.
The State Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatubosun, who commended Governor Oyebanji for investing heavily in the development of the state, said the newly awarded rural roads would add to no fewer than 25 other state roads that the Oyebanji-led government has undertaken within 18 months.
Olatubosun said the governor is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that Ekiti State becomes the food hub for the southwestern part of the country, having signed a multi-billion-naira memorandum of understanding with an investor in the agribusiness sector a few weeks ago.
Speaking on behalf of the contractors, the Managing Director of Tundis Nigeria Limited, Tunde Fagboyo, said that the contractors would ensure that the state government gets value for money by ensuring that the quality of work done on the projects is not compromised.
The awarded roads, which are grouped into 7 lots, are Enu Odi-Igirigiri Road, Omisanjana-Ben Folarin-Oke Aso Road, Ise-Imola Road, Owode-Anaye Road, Afolu-Odofin Road, Oye-Are Road, and Ilupeju-Igbo Egan Road.
Others are Iye-Isapa-Olopemeji-Ikun Road, Erinmope-Irare-Ikosu Road, Igbole-Egan-Osi-Iropora Road, FMS Farm-Oke Ako Road, Ikogosi-Aba-Ori Okuta-Ikogosi Road, and Ara-Ekameta School Road.
The successful bidders are: Messrs Dominant Engineering (Lot 1), Messrs Hallekem Limited (Lot 2), Messrs Millenium Technical Nigeria Limited (Lot 3), Messrs Tundis Nigeria Limited (Lot 4), Messrs Jadfem Nigeria Limited (Lot 5), Messrs HMF Construction Limited (Lot 6), and Messrs Heriprom Engineering Limited.
“Security agents must remember that we share the same markets, hospitals, and the burden of school fees, bills, and other groceries, which means the same burden of responsibility by implication.
“The struggle for a better Nigeria is the responsibility of all, irrespective of our political differences and dispositions.”
The SDP chairman said the party would continue to call on the government to stand with the people and fight for a better Nigeria where everyone has access to opportunities, justice, and prosperity.
According to him, “We support this rally and its demand for improved economic policies that benefit all Nigerians, not just a select few; increased investment in education, healthcare, and infrastructure; massive investment in the agricultural sector that would increase food production and farming methods; the provision of a more comprehensive healthcare plan that caters to the needs of unique and multilayers of the country; and an end to corruption and impunity. respect for human rights and the rule of law.
“We urge the government to listen to the voices of its citizens and take concrete steps to address our grievances.
“We would continue to call on the government to stand with the people and fight for a better Nigeria where everyone has access to opportunities, justice and prosperity.
“Together, let us demand a government that works for all Nigerians, not just the privileged few. Let us march together towards a brighter future where our children can grow and strive with dignity.”
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