State Executive Council clears major road reconstruction, upgrades and solar-powered streetlights to boost connectivity, tourism and safety

The Ekiti State Executive Council has approved ₦16.75 billion for a package of road reconstruction, road upgrade and solar-powered streetlight projects aimed at improving transportation, enhancing security and supporting economic development across the state.

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The approval, announced after the council meeting on Monday, covers major infrastructure projects in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti South-West and Ekiti West local government areas, alongside upgrades to key rural roads and the installation of solar-powered streetlights at strategic locations.

Announcing the decisions, the Commissioner for Information, Taiwo Olatunbosun, said the investments underscore the state government’s commitment to strengthening infrastructure and improving residents’ quality of life.

The largest allocation under the Ekiti road projects package is ₦12.576 billion for the reconstruction of the 18.83-kilometre Ilawe-Erijiyan-Ikogosi Road, a major corridor linking Ekiti South-West and Ekiti West Local Government Areas.

Olatunbosun said the project is expected to improve the movement of people and goods, strengthen security, provide easier access to the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and other tourism destinations, and stimulate commercial activities along the route.

“The project is expected to improve the movement of people and goods, enhance the security of lives and property, facilitate easier access to the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and other tourism assets, and stimulate economic activities along the corridor,” he said.

According to the commissioner, the reconstruction is expected to be completed within 16 months, with payments tied to agreed project milestones.

The council also approved ₦1.733 billion for the reconstruction of the 2.24-kilometre Spotless-Assembly of God/Opposite Olaoluwa Muslim Grammar School Road in Ado Ekiti.

Olatunbosun said the road has suffered extensive deterioration over the years and that the project will improve traffic flow, shorten travel times, enhance security and ease transportation challenges for residents and motorists.

The work is scheduled for completion within 12 months.

In addition, the Executive Council approved ₦2.063 billion to upgrade four road projects being executed under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) by increasing the asphalt thickness from 30 millimetres to 40 millimetres.

The affected roads include the 11.31-kilometre Ijero-Epe-Araromi-Iropora Road, 19.8-kilometre Ikole-Isaba-Ikoyi-Igbemo Road, 15.1-kilometre Ido-Ipere-Iludun Road, and the 15.73-kilometre Agbado-Ijisun-Ipole-Ise Road.

Explaining the decision, Olatunbosun said traffic assessments carried out during construction showed that the roads were experiencing significantly higher vehicle volumes than originally anticipated under the World Bank’s rural road design standards.

“Council noted that although the roads were originally designed in accordance with the World Bank’s Low Volume Roads Manual for rural roads, traffic assessments during construction revealed that they are experiencing significantly higher vehicular volumes than initially projected,” he said.

The commissioner added that the additional works would be undertaken by the existing contractors in line with the Ekiti State Public Procurement Law, citing the need to maintain construction quality, project continuity and technical efficiency.

The upgrade projects are expected to be completed within seven months.

Beyond road construction, the council approved ₦381.65 million for the installation of solar-powered streetlights at three strategic locations in Ado Ekiti.

The projects include ₦125.439 million for roads in Awedele Community, ₦58.739 million for newly rehabilitated access roads at GRA 3rd Extension off NTA Road, and ₦197.472 million for the road linking Igirigiri Junction in Odo-Ado to the new Ado Ekiti Local Government Headquarters.

According to Olatunbosun, the lighting projects are expected to improve road safety, strengthen security and encourage commercial activities in the affected areas.

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The approvals form part of the Ekiti State Government’s ongoing infrastructure development programme, which has prioritised road rehabilitation, rural connectivity and public utilities to support economic growth, improve access to tourism destinations and enhance the movement of agricultural produce across the state.