Having constructed and completed over 220 kilometres of roads and rehabilitated over 120 kilometres across the length and breadth of Ogun State within two years of his administration, it beggars no questioning that Governor Abiodun was nicknamed ‘Mr Roads’. At the outset of his administration, he disclosed that as a quick-fix mechanism to address the deplorable condition of roads in the state, the Ogun State Public Works Agency was established.
Between then and now, several intra-city roads are being rehabilitated or freshly constructed because of the governor’s belief that motorable roads are a boost for economic activities. He recently commissioned the new 10.25km Lusada-Igbesa Road done by the Ogun Guangdong Free Trade Zone in partnership with the state government.
He also flagged off the reconstruction of the 19km Atan-Lusada-Agbara Road in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area. The 7.65km road is an inherited project that his administration resolved to take over and complete for its projected impact on the movement of goods and persons, and joint economic growth.
According to Governor Abiodun, “No doubt, the construction of 10.25kilometre Lusada-Igbesa road in partnership with the Ogun Guandong Free Trade Zone, Igbesa, is a commendable project. And, we are happy to have the road commissioned given its benefits for improved investments and individual prosperity of all the people in Igbesa, Lusada and adjoining towns in this area. But, as an adjoining road, it is important to note that the full benefits of this newly constructed road can be realised only when the Atan-Lusada-Agbara road is rehabilitated and reconstructed.
That import is not lost on us. We have just performed the ceremony of the turn of the sod of the Atan-Lusada-Agbara road. All things being equal, the road will be completed soonest and both the Atan-Lusada-Agbara road and the Lusada-Igbesa Free Trade Zone road will complement each other for the full benefits of our people.”
While commending President Muhammadu Buhari for the prompt approval of the request for the transfer of the rehabilitation, reconstruction and maintenance of Atan-Lusada-Agbara road to the state, he said that his administration decided to embark on its reconstruction to give succour to the residents and industries along the axis.
He assured that the road will be completed in 15 months and that all the roads leading to industrial areas and farm settlements in the state will be prioritised to boost economic growth and development.
Describing his administration as a season of project completion in Ogun State, Governor Abiodun said that the expanded 2.5km Elite-Oke Lantoro joins the current set of roads ready for asphalting and that it will be delivered very soon with walkways and covered drainage. The alternative road, he added, will not only ease congestion at Iyana Mortuary but also improve accessibility to its host communities.
Significantly, the very essential Ijebu-Ode – Epe Road, a major link between Ogun and Lagos States and an alternative to the busy Lagos-Ibadan expressway, which had been in a state of disrepair leading to abandonment by commuters for several years, is now nearing completion. Some days back, pictures of the current state of the project were splashed on the governor’s social media pages and captioned; ‘Traffic staging along new interchange under construction at the intersection of Ijebu Ode-Epe and Sagamu-Benin Expressways.’ The governor stated, “The 14km Ijebu Ode-Epe Road construction project is 90% completed while the interchange, which was awarded late last year, is 40% done. The road is significant to the joint economic development of Ogun State as a whole because it will open doors to further industrialisation, more employment opportunities, and ease of goods movement.”
But for the COVID-19 pandemic and the requirement for physical distancing, Governor Abiodun noted that some of the roads would have been completed thus, bringing relief to the people who commute on these roads on daily basis, either to go to work or to journey to neighbouring states. Unlike his peers in other states, who stifle their domains, like Victorian overlords trampling the peace and shoots of genius without a care in the world, Governor Abiodun understands that good governance goes beyond providing infrastructure and enabling growth across all spheres.
