- Why He Took Over Rehabilitation Of Three Federal Roads
By Lanre Alfred
In governance, ten cents’ worth of human understanding equals ten bullion vans worth of benevolence.
Compassion is the key. But too many politcians are incapable of it. Unlike Dapo Abiodun, the executive governor of Ogun State. Blessed with a perfect bearing of governance, Abiodun navigates his way through its clotted swamps. Knowing it is hard to create new paths when the old ways are ingrained, he endeavours to be different.
Prior to his forays in political office, Abiodun was notable for his kindness and selfless pursuits in the interest of all.
He was neither enslaved to mammon nor gold; of both, he would not obsess about so much as a seal-ring, choosing to store his money in the stomachs of the poor rather than keep it for show. It is unsurprising, therefore, that, Abiodun would initiate series of pro-people schemes immediately after he assumed office.
Aside from his road and infrastructure renewal projects, Abiodun has intitiated plans to launch a Job Board to tackle the unemployment scourge in Ogun State. In a few days, the online job portal would begin operations and its sole purpose, according to the government, is to link Ogun’s unemployed youths with matching job opportunites the state’s labour market.
The governor hopes the move would attract many investors and companies to register on the portal to post job opportunities and select candidates.
On the scheme, applicants would also benefit from periodic trainings to hone their skills and increase their value and potential in the marketplace.
Among other benefits cited in favour of registered companies and individuals on the portal, the trend of urban migration drift in search of non-existent jobs will reduce significantly as young people get job opportunites in the state.
As a company, the Job Board offers a platform for companies to find the best candidates residing in Ogun State, closest to their operation centre. As a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), it offers entrepreneurs access to grants.
At the backdrop of this initiative, Governor Abiodun has approved rehabilitation works on three strategic federal roads to boost economic activities in the state.
He disclosed that he had formally sought permission of the federal government to dualize three major Federal roads linking Ogun and Lagos States under the public, private sector partnership arrangement.
The roads are, Ikorodu – Ogijo – Shagamu road, Epe – Ijebu – Ode road and Lagos – Ota – Abeokua road.
Abiodun, while meeting with the World Bank team headed by its Country Director, Rachid Benmessaoud in Abuja, on Wednesday, said his government decided to takeover the roads because of their economic value to the state; their rehabilitation is expected to guarantee the collective prosperity of Ogun people and bring on board global best practices and the ease of doing business from the World Bank.
He underscored the importance of development partnership to actualise his “building our future together” agenda and the centrality of public private sector partnerships.
“The Lagos – Abeokuta road is a sorry sight when it rains and our people need to commute to and from Lagos everyday because we are to Lagos what New Jersey is to New York.
“People who commute through Iyana Ilogbo will tell you of the nightmare they encounter everyday because of potholes which cause endless gridlock. This is a road that has been under construction for a long time and still needs about N26bn before completion.
“Only N1bn was in this year’s federal budget for that same road. So, as a responsible government, which is closer to the people, we have to do something,” Abiodun said.
He stated further that the Epe – Ijebu Ode road requires similar intervention, just as the Ikorodu-Shagamu corridor.
“Lagos has completed it’s own end of the Epe-Ijebu Ode road. What we need to make it a total package is about 14.4km. So, we are taking it over because the welfare of our people matters. It will become an alternative route for motorists going to the Eastern part of the country,” Governor Abiodun added.
