SINCE its creation on 3rd February 1976 from the defunct Western State comprising various provinces, Ogun State has been carrying dual infrastructural burden. While it struggled to cater for its increasing population, the state inevitably faced the constant influx of Lagosians who considered Ogun as an alternative place of abode due to its proximity to the Centre of Excellence and the lesser cost of living. Another major issue that seriously overstretched the infrastructure in Ogun State is the number of industries. The state is adjudged to accommodate the largest number of industries in Nigeria, coupled with its longest borders, traversing almost all the States in the Southwest and the West African corridor. Since every government at any stage of authority is constrained by limited resources available for capital project, Ogun State in its over 48 years of existence suffered accumulated road infrastructural deficit, especially on those roads belonging to the Federal Government as well as the ones at the Lagos-Ogun border communities. While the thinking of the successive administrations at the federal level which made them look away from the State despite its significant contributions to the economic growth of the nation remains unclear, it is also unexplainable that past administrations in the state also paid little attention to roads at the border communities.
Obviously, the condition of road infrastructure in the State remained incredibly pathetic, despite the overrated performances of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s immediate predecessors at the time the Prince of Iperu came on board as the sixth civilian governor of the Gateway State. Coming into the saddle with clear vision of dynamic governance, Prince Abiodun was armed with satisfactory private sector experience spanning decades as well as good understanding of public sector dynamics; he was also moved to perform better than his predecessors based on the pessimism exhibited by his political adversaries on his capacity, in the struggle for the gubernatorial seat. From all indications, the boardroom guru was ready to surprise everyone and deliver dividends of democracy to his people beyond the expectations of all, as he predicated his developmental drive on ISEYA, which among others prioritizes infrastructure development. Recognising the profound significance of the 70km Abeokuta-Ota-Lagos Expressway, which cuts across about four local governments in the state and connects the leading industrial hubs of Ota and Agbara, which had remained uncompleted since it was awarded for construction in 2003, the governor swung into action.
Unfortunately, the Federal Government superintended by President Muhammadu Buhari at that time, through the Ministry of Works under Babatunde Raji Fashola, did not see what Abiodun was seeing or decided to ignore the frustrations of Nigerians plying the road daily. Strangely, Fashola insisted that Governor Abiodun must not reconstruct the road not minding the suffering of the people, claiming an existing contractual agreement with a certain contractor and the need to continue waiting till eternity. All efforts and entreaties of Prince Abiodun to persuade Fashola and his principal to toe the path of reason and sensitivity were in vain: these principalities at the Aso Rock Villa remained adamant at the detriment of millions of road users, particularly the people around Sango-Ota axis whose plight on the road could better imagined than experienced. Being the resilient and dogged personality that he is, Dapo Abiodun resumed his voyage to take over the construction of the Lagos-Abeokuta road to ease the suffering of his people and other road users alike. This time around, he was pleading with people with listening ears and a capacity to reason beyond bureaucratic protocols.
The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is perfectly in tandem with the request of Prince Abiodun and the Federal Ministry of Works under His Excellency, Engineer Dave Umahi, and the years of pleading and waiting paid off. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony of the 70km Abeokuta-Ota-Lagos Road on Friday, at Itori, in Ewekoro Local Government of the State, a very elated and fulfilled Governor Abiodun pledged to complete the road in 18 months, saying the road is significant not only to Ogun State but also to Lagos State and the nation at large, as it provides a thoroughfare for people going to the neighbouring countries. Governor Abiodun remarked: “The plan for the reconstruction of this road did not just start today because we have the interest of our people at heart. We know this is a Federal Government road, and the State had to follow the due process before getting the required approval to commence the reconstruction.”
“This road was awarded 2003, but since then, it has suffered insufficient funding, resulting in contractors working and many times abandoning the road at times for a year by when the roads would have suffered degradation. Our people have suffered too much travelling on this road, but today Hope is Renewed.
“I am glad to inform you that work is beginning on the road immediately. The excuse then was that there was a sitting contractor on the road. The best the State could do at that time was to carry out palliative works on the critical sections along the road axis. We re-opened our appeal to the Federal Government to reconstruct the road upon the inauguration of His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who graciously, through the Honourable Minister for Works, handed over the reconstruction of the road to Ogun State.
“I want to use this medium, therefore, to express my heartfelt gratitude to the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for obliging our state’s request by granting the approval and releasing the Abeokuta/Ifo/Sango/Abule-Egba Road to us for reconstruction.
“My sincere appreciation also goes to the Federal Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, for his support and cooperation in ensuring our State got the necessary approval to reconstruct the road.
“Abeokuta/Ifo/Sango Road has been adjudged to be the second busiest road in Nigeria and is vital to the economy of the people of Ogun State and Nigerians at large. It connects Abeokuta and its
hinterlands to Lagos State and links Ilaro in Ogun West connects to Sagamu in Ogun East through the Sagamu-Interchange-Papalanto-Ilaro road.
“On the Ota side, it also connects the Sango-Atan-Owode-Idi-Iroko road, leading to border towns and the Benin Republic.
The road serves as a critical artery for numerous industrial hubs in Ota, including the Lafarge Cement Factory, Ile-Ise Awo, various schools, and higher institutions. The communities along this corridor are densely populated, and the road’s strategic location has a significant impact on trade and economic activities.
“To fast-track the reconstruction of the road, five reconstruction teams will be involved, and each team will handle one of the following zones: Ota/Ifo, Papalanto, Ewekoro/Itori, Abeokuta, and the team allocated for palliative works to ensure smooth traffic along the project alignment during the construction duration.
“Each zone covers a distance of approximately 15 km. The Abeokuta/Ifo/Sango/Abule-Egba Road project is expected to be completed in eighteen months”.
The Governor’s speech explicitly depicted a combination of accomplishments and determination, it directly spoke to the deliberate and intentional resolve of a political leader to make life abundantly comfortable for his people and provide enabling environment for economic advancement.
Indeed, “Great Leader Knows How To Translate Vision Into Reality, Even When One Person’s Vision Seems Like A Dream”. Of course, Prince Dapo Abiodun will remain indelible in the consciousness of his people as a great leader.
E Clap fun Gomina Abiodun!
- Ajibola writes from Abeokuta
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