Ekiti agrarian community seeks Oyebanji’s intervention over 15 years of neglect

By Boye Oyeyemi

Residents of Odo Uro and neighbouring communities in Araromi Local Council Development Area of Ekiti State have appealed to Governor Biodun Oyebanji to intervene in what they described as “over 15 years of infrastructural neglect.”

The appeal was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the proposed Ayonitemi Community, Yinka Akomolafe, who said the agrarian communities had remained without electricity, mobile telecommunications services and motorable roads despite their contributions to the state’s food production.

Akomolafe said more than 3,000 residents were affected by the poor infrastructure, adding that the situation had hampered farming activities, healthcare delivery and access to education.

According to him, farmers have been forced to sell their produce at low prices to middlemen because of the deplorable condition of access roads, while the cost of transporting farm produce to markets in Iyin and Ado-Ekiti has risen significantly.

He also lamented that the absence of electricity and telecommunications services had discouraged investment in the area and made digital financial transactions difficult for residents and business owners.

The community, however, commended the Iyin Traditional Council led by Oba Adeola Ajakaiye and the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, for their interventions, while urging the state government to assume greater responsibility for the area’s development.

“We are not asking for special treatment, but for our fair share of development. Our communities deserve access to good roads, electricity and telecommunications services like other parts of the state,” Akomolafe said.

The residents urged the Oyebanji administration to prioritise the Odo Uro, Ayonitemi and Aroto corridor in future infrastructure projects, saying the move would boost agricultural production, improve livelihoods and promote inclusive development across the state.