…As Works Minister Hails President Tinubu, Ekiti Gov’s strides in Infrastructure Dev.
Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji has expressed satisfaction with the remarkable progress recorded by his administration in road construction and rehabilitation, noting that the road revolution has significantly changed the face of infrastructure development and brought new life to communities across the State.
The Governor, who stated this on Thursday while speaking at the opening session of the 30th Meeting of the National Council on Works (NCW) held in Ado Ekiti, said his administration remains committed to investing in infrastructure as a major drive of economic growth, social development and regional integration.
The four- day event was attended by Commissioners for Works and Permanent Secretaries in state ministry of works across the 36 states of the Federation as well as other critical stakeholders and development partners.
Governor Oyebanji said since the inception of his administration, the State has witnessed a renewed commitment to infrastructural development, describing the on-going road revolution as deliberate efforts to open up communities, ease transportation and improve access to market, schools and healthcare facilities.
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led federal government for its commitment to infrastructural development in the state through interventions in some of the federal roads, the Governor explained that his administration has also complemented the gesture by embarking on the repairs of the Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki dual carriage way which is a federal road.
“Since inception, our administration has made significant strides in infrastructure development; we have embarked on road revolution in all nooks and crannies of our dear State. We are proud of the progress we have made in road constructions and rehabilitations. However, we also recognize that there is still much work to be done. We need to continue to invest in our infrastructure, support innovations and research, and foster collaboration between government, industry and academia.
“While appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to infrastructural development in Ekiti State through his interventions on some federal roads, our administration has also complemented this gesture by embarking on the repairs of the Ado-Iworoko-Ifaki dual carriage federal road”, the Governor asserted.
Earlier in his address, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, who was represented by the Minister of State for Works, Hon Bello Muhammad, commended both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji for their shared commitment to infrastructure development, noting that the partnership between the federal and state governments has continue to yield results under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President.
The Minister particularly commended Governor Oyebanji for the successful completion of the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Airport, describing it as a landmark project that has repositioned the state for greater economic growth and investment opportunities.
Highlighting the importance of the National Council on Works meeting, the minister said it is a critical forum for reshaping the future of infrastructure delivery and engineering policy in Nigeria and that it also allows to reflect, recalibrate and re-strategized, drawing from the experience and expertise of stakeholders across federal, state and local levels.
The Minister explained that the meeting is expected to promote accountability in project delivery, invest in research and modern technologies, empower engineers with tools and training, monitor and evaluate rigorously and more importantly, serve Nigerians with discipline, professionalism, integrity and excellence.
He assured that the Federal Ministry of Works remains committed to innovative practices, such as use of digital project monitoring, introduction of geotechnical mapping and data tools for road design and maintenance, encourage local content and indigenous technology, among others.
In his welcome address, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Works, Mr Sola Adebayo, who thanked the federal ministry of works for allowing the state to host the council meeting, said it was a testament to the State’s growing reputation as a hub of responsible governance and infrastructural innovation.
Adebayo expressed confident that the deliberations at this Council will yield actionable resolutions that will strengthen collaborations between the Federal and the State Governments, improve funding mechanisms, promote the use of modern technologies and indigenous materials in construction and more importantly, it will reinforce collective resolve to build roads and infrastructure that stand the test of time and connects not just places but also opportunities and people.