By Adeboye Ado, Akure.
Traditional rulers and other community leaders across various communities in Ondo State have applauded the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, over the massive developmental projects being witnessed across the 18 Local Government Areas of the State.
The Monarchs and leaders applauded the Governor during the 2021 Rural Appreciation Day held at Cocoa Conference Hall yesterday, in Akure, the State Capital.
The Rural Appreciation Day was organised by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural and Community Development, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde.
The communities leaders described the Governor as architect of a new Nigeria, considering his administration’s unwavering commitment to the development of the rural communities and improvement of well-being of the people under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) initiative.
Those who spoke at the event included the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladelusi Aladetoyinbo; the Afaro of Araromi Seaside, Oba Olawole Adeoloye; a community leader from Ugbonla, Dr. Henry Mobolorunduro; and the State President, National Council of Women Society, Pastor Jumoke Aborode.
According to them the various life-transforming projects being executed by the Akeredolu-led administration were unprecedented in the history of the state and have brought hope to the hitherto hopeless communities across the Sunshine State.
Impressed by the unprecedented development, the stakeholders at the programme listed some of the projects to include opening up of rural access roads, provision of water, Basic Health Centres, Garri processing factories, establishment of renewable energy in several community schools; opening up of market stalls among various developmental projects across the 18 local government areas of the state.
Speaking at the epoch making event, Governor Akeredolu, who specially thanked the people for appreciating his administration’s modest achievements, also reassured them that his government would continue to deliver good governance across the state.
He explained that the initiative was part of his administration’s REDEEMED Agenda and that he would not pay lip service to the transformation of rural communities in the state.
The Governor said about 1,000km of rural access roads would also be constructed under RAAMP initiative.
“It is pertinent at this juncture to let you know that our efforts in transforming the rural communities are being implemented through many channels. The Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency is in charge of ensuring that every community in Ondo State has access to qualitative health care.
“There is an average of three Basic Health Centres in each political ward in the State and this facilitates easy accessibility to good health care system for our people. No matter the remoteness of your community, there is a health facility about five minutes away from you.
“In the area of education, our government is also delivering value for our rural communities. Early this year, 1,200 teachers were recruited for our primary schools, many of whom were posted to our rural schools.
“Likewise, in Agricultural Development and Extension Services, we have paid particular attention to the needs of our rural communities by supplying them with millions of cocoa and cashew seedlings free of charge among other intervention programmes,’ Governor Akeredolu said.
Earlier, in his welcome address, Hon. Babatunde Kolawole, said representatives of various communities across the state were in the Governor’s Office to appreciate the special attention his administration has continued to give to the development of rural communities in the state to make lives more meaningful to the rural dwellers.
The former lawmaker said the tenure of Akeredolu has further improved the well-being of the rural settlers through granting of approvals for projects.
He said, “since the inception of your tenure in Ondo State, Sir, you have intervened and improved the well-being of the rural settlers through granting of approval for rural projects and initiatives such as completion of diverse self-help projects spanning renovation of block of classrooms for Community Schools in Eporo, Owo and Adaja, Odigbo; renovation of Basic Health Centres”
“Opening up of access roads; completion of police station in Ugbonla, Ilaje; construction of borehole in Igorisa, Ode-Aye; construction of garri processing factory in Oboto, Ondo and Ago Kona, Owo; construction of fish drying cabinets in Araromi waterside; construction of Open Market stalls and Slaughter Slab in Yaba, Idanre and Akungba respectively; construction of footbridge in Atoranse, Irele”
“Establishment of renewable energy system in several community schools for the teaching of STEM subjects; establishment of Community Development Committees (CDCs) in all the 18 LGAs; hosting of the inaugural International Human Solidarity Day in Ondo State; construction of Community Development Zonal Offices in Ile-Oluji, Oba-Ile and Owo, just to mention a few”
“A total of 210 micro-projects, covering the health and educational sectors, water supply, roads rehabilitation, erosion control, rural electricity supply and socio-economic projects like markets have been undertaken by the Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) in our rural communities since February 2017 when the present administration came onboard”, Hon. Kolawole said
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