The Onimeko of Imeko, Oba Benjamin Alabi Olanite Oyeditan, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reconstructing the long-abandoned Frontier Road. This project is expected to open up Imeko-Afon Local Government Area and transform its economic fortunes. The monarch made this statement ahead of the Agbinrekoti Festival, an annual cultural gathering aimed at preserving the heritage of the Imeko people and strengthening ties with Ketu communities across the border in the Republic of Benin.
The Frontier Road, which dates back to the colonial era, was originally conceived as a major corridor linking Idofoi through Imeko and extending towards other parts of the country. It began from Idofoi in 1900 and reached Imeko in 1906, with plans to extend it towards Bida and Kebbi. However, the original route was altered in 1918, resulting in years of infrastructural neglect for communities along the frontier corridor. The present administration's Sokoto-Badagry road project has brought major road infrastructure back through the frontier corridor.
Oba Oyeditan described the development as a correction of past anomalies in infrastructure planning, saying the project has begun to remove Imeko and surrounding communities from decades of isolation. He noted that the road project, although not following the original alignment exactly, has opened up the area and will bring economic benefits to the communities. The monarch appealed to the Federal Government to complement the road project with the establishment of a tertiary institution in the area.
The monarch argued that Imeko-Afon's strategic location and proximity to the international border with the Republic of Benin make infrastructure investment particularly important. The local government has vast expanses of undeveloped land with significant agricultural and industrial potential. The reconstruction of the road has already begun to improve the area's fortunes by improving access to markets and easing the difficulties previously experienced in transporting agricultural produce.
Oba Oyeditan added that improved road access will help farmers move their produce to markets in northern and southern Nigeria, reducing losses that occurred when farm products could not be transported quickly. He also noted that the improved road network could attract factories and other businesses to the area, as investors will have easier access to land and transport infrastructure.
The Onimeko of Imeko also called on the Federal Government to establish higher education and healthcare institutions in the border community. He argued that Imeko's status as a border town and its historical importance as a frontier headquarters justify greater federal investment. The monarch urged the Federal Government to consider a bill sponsored by Senator Solomon Adeola to establish a Federal College of Agriculture and Development Studies in Imeko.
Oba Oyeditan further called for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in the community, citing Imeko's status as a border town with Customs, Police, Soldiers, and Immigration. He emphasized that the town's strategic location and long association with border agencies justify the need for greater federal investment in infrastructure, including education and healthcare.
Key points
- The reconstruction of the 120-year-old Frontier Road is expected to transform the economic fortunes of Imeko-Afon Local Government Area.
- The road project has opened up the area, improving access to markets and easing difficulties in transporting agricultural produce.
- The monarch has called on the Federal Government to establish higher education and healthcare institutions in the border community.
