Governor Dapo Abiodun on Friday flagged off the reconstruction of the deplorable 81.6km dual carriageway of the Abeokuta—Ota—Lagos expressway, vowing to complete it in 18 months.
Speaking during the flag-off held at the Itori corridor of the road, the governor said simultaneous reconstruction works will be carried out at five points—Ita Oshin(Abeokuta), Itori, Papalanto, Ifo, and Ota—to ensure completion in the stipulated 18 months.
According to him, each of the gangs would cover 15 kilometers stretch of 81.6km road with drainages, culverts, sidewalk, median and all essentials of modern road….CONTINUE READING
He recalled that the contract for the dualization was initially awarded in 2003 during the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo, but lamented that it was neither completed nor the road handed over to the Federal Government (FG) for commissioning by the contractor due to insufficient funding by the Federal Government.
He also lamented that spirited efforts made by his administration and later in conjunction with his counterpart in Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo – Olu to take over the rehabilitation and reconstruction frustrated the immediate past administration at the Centre.
He hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving the responsibility of reconstructing the road to the Ogun State Government, stressing that before now, the state had expended so much to carry out some palliative measures on it.
Describing it as the second busiest road after that of the Lagos – Ibadan expressway, he said it is strategic to the zones of the state.
“The road is strategic and of great importance to the economy of Ogun State and Nigeria, this road has been in bad shape for so long until President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the reconstruction while waiting we have expended a lot to do palliatives on the road. I also expressed gratitude to the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi.
“This road has long suffered negligence, it was not completed and not handed over to the FG. It would be started and then abandoned because of insufficient funds but today our hope is revived as we will expedite action on it and ensure its completion in ample time,” Abiodun said
