With Uche Nnadozie
It was nearing peak of production in the office yesterday, when my phone rang causing a sort of distraction for me. Reluctantly, I picked the call and at the other end I heard excited voices of my colleagues and friends who are members the Kwara Government House Crew. I could barely hear what they were saying in chorus as they chattered away, but something struck, the mention of my hometown-Arandun. It then dawned on me that the moving project monitoring train of Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfattah Ahmed had berthed in my ancestral town. My spirit was lifted to know that Arandun in Irepodun Local Government has been opened up again, through road construction by the present administration. I am particularly gladdened that the state government had paid attention to the Ipetu road, which was hitherto thought to have been neglected by successive administrations.
Remarkably, Arandun township road is in good shape (constructed two years ago), a feat I must credit to the contractor, Chelfom Engineering Construction Company Ltd.
The road construction has no doubt brought about development to my hometown bequeathing my hitherto rustic town with infrastructural transformation,which consequently translated into economic gain for the area.
I recall the torturous journey to my hometown during my childhood days. The bumpy ride on the bad road, was but a nightmare for my siblings and I. The mere thought of travelling to and from Arandun during Christmas period, which was actually an annual ritual back then, really made me sick.
The one hour ride from the state capital, took away much joy from the nostalgia of savouring country life for a few days.
Therefore, my joy knew no bounds when in 2013 the contractor was mobilised to site for construction of the road. That project, put an end to age-long misery of Arandun people over deplorable state of the road.
Just like the people of my hometown are basking in the euphoria of the dividend of democracy, which has been their lot, other benefiting communities of road projects across the state, would remain eternally grateful to the present administration, given the socio-economic importance of a good road particularly to agrarian areas. No doubt, the state government has so far demonstrated that it is committed to opening up rural areas and not paying lip service to even development of nooks and crannies of the state.
It is common knowledge that roads are integral part of rural development, which also stimulates overall development by providing access to economic and social infrastructure and facilities.
Most farm produce come from the rural communities in the state and if the rural communities are not opened up, it would be very difficult to get such produce to a ready-made market where they can be sold to people within the state and beyond. Therefore, the provision of roads and transportation facilities are fundamentally important to the development of the state. And, incontrovertibly rural development will help to improve the quality of life and economic wellbeing of people living in non- urban centres.
In Kwara, over seventy percent of the state’s population are rural dwellers, hence the need to place significance on rural development. A good road network is crucial to all socio-economic activities of rural population. Without good roads, other infrastructure cannot be delivered.
The amount earmarked for road constructions by the present administration will mean nothing to those who don’t feel the impact on the road budget; to them it remains a figure-on-paper.
Development of the nooks and crannies should continue to be the overiding interest of the present administration of Governor Abdulfattah Ahmed’s administration. It is also noteworthy that most of rural communities have tourist potentials, which are yet to be exploited. The natural endowment has potential to be a huge revenue earner for the state and by extension the country, just as it could serve as pivot for further economic and social development of the communities.
Nonetheless, it behooves the state government to ensure that the road projects are not abandoned but are completed to specification and delivered at the stipulated time by contractors handling them.
RE: Kwarans treating environment with impunity
I write in appreciation of your piece which dwells on the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. I want to say God bless you for that brilliant piece as words alone cannot express our gratitude. Besides, it will be an understatement to say you brilliantly captured the whole message in your article. You have indeed as usual, given the Ministry an unsolicited support it can never repay.
Thanks and God bless you for that brilliant and objective submission. More of God’s wisdom.
Gbenga Ishola, Press Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Environment and Forestry
