By Yemi Olajutemu
ADO EKITI
An aspirant for Ekiti Federal Constituency Two in the House of Representatives, Prince Iranlade Idowu Popoola, has unveiled a comprehensive rural road rehabilitation agenda, declaring that improved farm to market access will form a cornerstone of his legislative focus if elected.
Popoola, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, made the disclosure during a consultation meeting with party supporters and community leaders in Otun Ekiti, where he stressed that agriculture remains the backbone of Ido Osi, Moba and Ilejemeje local government areas. He argued that without functional feeder roads, farmers would continue to battle high transportation costs, post harvest losses and shrinking profit margins.
While commending Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, for prioritising road construction across the state, the aspirant acknowledged the visible progress recorded under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, RAAMP, coordinated by Eng. Rufus Sunday Adunmo. He noted that interventions such as the rehabilitation of the Ido/Ipere road have improved connectivity and contributed to enhanced security in previously vulnerable corridors.
Popoola also lauded the reintroduction of the five kilometre local government road construction initiative by the Oyebanji administration, describing it as a practical approach to making life more meaningful for citizens in rural communities. According to him, sustained investment in local road networks is critical to unlocking the economic potential of agrarian settlements.
He recalled that before recent interventions, several feeder roads in the constituency were in deplorable condition, with many farming communities practically cut off during the rainy season. The situation, he said, discouraged expansion of farmland and limited access to viable markets within and outside Ekiti State.
Outlining his legislative blueprint, Popoola pledged to work assiduosly with the Oyebanji’s led government to lobby for federal intervention projects targeted at strategic farm corridors linking agrarian communities in Ido/Osi, Moba and Ilejemeje to major commercial centres. He said his approach would involve working hand in hand with the state government to domesticate ongoing development initiatives and ensure that federal projects complement state efforts rather than duplicate them.
Beyond mere grading of rural roads, the aspirant emphasised the need for durable construction standards, proper drainage systems and structured maintenance frameworks, insisting that constituency projects must move away from temporary fixes and embrace sustainable engineering designs capable of withstanding seasonal weather challenges
Popoola maintained that rural road development aligns with the broader economic agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places premium on food security and local production. He argued that effective federal representation should serve as a bridge connecting national agricultural policies with grassroots implementation in communities where farming remains the dominant occupation.
He added that functional road networks would enhance access to schools and health facilities, the huge investment made by the state government, generating social benefits that extend beyond agriculture. According to him, when rural communities are properly connected, security improves, commercial activities expand and integration into the state’s economic grid becomes seamless.
The aspirant assured constituents that his legislative strategy would prioritise active oversight to ensure that approved projects are delivered on schedule and within budget. Representation, he stressed, must translate into visible and measurable impact, particularly in areas where infrastructure deficits have persisted for decades.
Community stakeholders at the meeting expressed optimism over the proposal, noting that the economic fortunes of many households in the constituency are directly tied to farming. They observed that improved road infrastructure would drastically reduce the time and cost of transporting cassava, yam, rice and other produce to markets in Ado Ekiti and neighbouring states, thereby boosting income and stimulating agro processing activities.