The governor of the state of Ekiti, Biodun Oyebanji, has said that more than three years of traffic contracts have been granted worth N200 billion in almost three years, which cover about 350 kilometers in the 16 areas of the local government of the State.
He spoke on Wednesday at the plenary meeting of the Permanent Committee of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) held in the Church of the Cathedral of Emmanuel, Okesa, Ado-Ekiti.
According to the governor, more than N150 billion have already been paid to contractors. Of the 350 kilometers planned, 126 kilometers have been completed, while other projects are ongoing. Some of the main projects include the rehabilitation of the Ikogosi-Ipole-Efon Alaaye road, valued at N7.3 billion with a period of completion of 24 months, and the Ado-Ekiti-igeded-Aramoko -itawure road, with a value of N14.838 billion with a 30-month timeline.
He added that 13 rural road contracts valued at N17.219 billion have been granted under the Ekiti state rural access and marketing project to improve access and support local economic activity.
These projects, explained the governor, are destined to connect shopping centers and large communities while providing alternative routes for travelers.
“To date, the State has awarded traffic contracts that exceed the N200 billion, which cover 350 km throughout the state. Of this, more than N150 billion have been paid to the contractors, with 126 km completed, while others are still in several completion stages.
“These roads were carefully selected to connect shopping centers, large communities and provide alternatives for travelers.
“We are also building more than 132 km of rural roads through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing project together with the World Bank,” said Oyebanji.
The Diocese of Ekiti organized the meeting of the Permanent Committee from 2025 from September 15 to 19, 2025. More than 100 bishops and other church leaders attended, with the theme “The Holiness of the Church that states by the Christian faith and the witness in the world,” presided over the primacy of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), the majority of Reverend Henry Ndukuba.
During the visit, the Primates Ndukuba requested moral awakening and warned against materialism in the Church of the Cathedral of Emmanuel, Ado-Ekiti, where he also appreciated the governor for “being a missionary of Christ in his government in the state of Ekiti.”
Governor Oyebanji, known for his regular participation in church services, also revealed that his administration had spent more than N118 billion on tips, pensions, license bonds and replacement of loan schemes for retirees of the state and local government since he assumed the position.
He praised the Church for his contributions to education, social services and medical care in the state, and urged political leaders to see themselves as missionaries who serve the public.
“As a political leader, I see myself as a missionary of a species, as I am at the service of God to improve life for our people and raise the oppressed. It is for this reason that I have always focused our policies on the welfare of common people,” he said.
The governor highlighted other achievements of his administration, including the improvement of safety, youth development, employment creation through the use of more than 5,000 young people, stable electricity supply, renewal and equipment of more than 177 health facilities, and involving thousands of young people in agriculture through the return of young people to the agricultural scheme.
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