The inauguration of a 2.4-kilometre Oke-Ola road in Imeko Afon Local Government of Ogun State last week by Governor Dapo Abiodun has been described as the needed tonic to boost commercial and farming activities in the area.

The road, which connects with neighbouring communities in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, was built by the Ogun State Government to ease movement of farm produce and goods from farmland to urban centres in the two states.

Major communities that make up Imeko-Afon Local Government include Imeko, Afon, Ilara, Okeagbede, Moriwi, Owode, Obada, Iwoye-Ketu, Okuta, Atapele, Idofa and a host of others.

Prince Abiodun, at the inauguration, said the newly constructed road was a departure from the past, as it led and connected Oyo State, which was aimed at boosting business activities in the area with consequent increase in revenue generation into the coffers of the government.

Abiodun said Imeko-Afon Local Government was endowed with abundant and vast land suitable for growing farm produce and also with potential forest.

Prided as an agriculture zone, it was learnt that the building of the road would boost cotton production in the area, which has been described as the best in the country in terms of quality.

A farmer and industrialist, Alhaji Ganiyu Elegbede, said the Oke-Ola road meant a lot to traders and farmers because of its multi-purpose nature.

Read Also: Makinde releases N750m for road rehabilitation in Oyo

He said the road would boost farming and commercial activities, ensure smooth movement of agricultural produce from farmland to towns, while also ensuring that industrial products reached intended markets without stress.

Elegbede said the rehabilitation of the road came at the right time, thanking Governor Abiodun for the kind gesture.

“For the past 15 years of neglect, this road project is coming for inauguration as a testimonial of our administration’s commitment in keeping to our promises.

“Some deceived some people, because they had no good intention. We cannot do everything but we will do those ones that we promise and are of economic benefit to all and sundry. So, we are a promise-keeping administration,” he said

Another resident, Mr. Ebenezer Adekunle, who combines driving with farming, expressed gratitude to the state government for reconstructing the road.

Also praising the governor for keeping to his promise, Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Olanite, described Abiodun as a care-giver, a promise-keeper, a lover of people, and a responsive and responsible leader, who puts smiles on the faces of the people.

A seasoned politician, Prince Gboyega Isiaka (aka GNI), while commending the governor for his intervention in bringing succour to residents of Imeko and its environs, who are predominantly farmers, urged Abiodun to take advantage of the vast forest in the area to enhance the economic potential of the state.

Isiaka, an indigene of Imeko and also a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said the community is endowed with vast forest, but which now harbours all manners of people.