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Residents, commuters relieved and excited at the spate of construction
From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Ilaro-Owode Road in Yewa South Local Government, Ogun State, once stood out as a death trap. Motorists, commuters, and residents endured unpleasant experiences and anguish while plying the road.
The same was true of the Ijoko-Oke/Aro-Alagbole Road. This road project, featuring four flyovers and spanning Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government to Ifo Local Government, brought untold hardship to the residents of these communities. Not only did floods ravage these areas, but fatal accidents and fire incidents also wreaked havoc.
These roads, among many others, were abandoned, becoming death traps scattered across the state. Except for a few locations in Abeokuta, where some roads—albeit substandard—were completed, the other two senatorial districts either suffered total neglect or were left with a plethora of abandoned road projects.
Even in Abeokuta, projects such as the Panseke-Adigbe-Obada Road, flyovers at Kuto and NNPC, and the Mokola-Kugba-Saje-Adatan Road were abandoned, with residents bearing the brunt.
As a starting point, Governor Dapo Abiodun ordered the completion of the two flyovers at Kuto and NNPC in Abeokuta. Similarly, he directed that palliative works be carried out on the lengthy Mokola-Kugba-Saje-Adatan Road, with a promise to complete the abandoned project. The government also undertook the reconstruction of the Ijoko-Oke/Aro-Alagbole Road, bringing relief to residents.
Abiodun then began flagging off new road projects. One such project was the Ijebu-Ode-Ita/Mojoda-Epe Road, linking Ijebu Ode to Epe in Lagos State, which was completed and inaugurated. It provides easy access for those commuting from the state via Epe to Ibeju, Lekki, Victoria Island, and Lagos Island.
Earlier, the FAJOL-American Junction-Gbonangun and Elite-Salam Kaola-Idi roads in Ogun Central were constructed. In Ogun West, the Ikola-Navy-Osi Ikola Road in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government was built, linking inner Ota with Lagos State via the Raypower Road.
Then there is the 19.2km Atan-Lusada-Agbara Industrial Road. This road was not only in deplorable condition but also caused significant losses to companies in the Agbara Industrial Estate and its environs. Vehicles carrying finished goods and products frequently overturned due to the poor road condition. The road is now nearing completion.
The Ministry of Works and Infrastructure claimed that 80 roads had been completed, 27 were ongoing, eight had been awarded, one was pending, and another was to be awarded.
Regarding the state of disrepair of federal roads coursing through Ogun, particularly the Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta Expressway, Governor Abiodun made several overtures to the then-President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to allow the state to take over rehabilitation. However, these efforts did not yield positive results.
The incumbent administration carried out a series of palliative works, especially in the Itori-Ewekoro axis and the Joju-Sango overhead bridge area.
The governor’s persistent calls for a synergy between the state and the federal government on rehabilitating federal roads eventually paid off. A few months ago, the reconstruction of the Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta road was awarded to Craneburg Construction Company.
During the flag-off of the 70km road’s reconstruction in Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area, in August, Governor Abiodun described the road as significant not only to Ogun State but also to Lagos State and the nation, as it serves as a thoroughfare to a neighbouring country:
“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 in 2003, but since then, it has suffered insufficient funding, resulting in contractors abandoning the road. 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 critical sections along the road. We reopened our appeal to the Federal Government upon President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration. Through the Minister for Works, the reconstruction was graciously handed over to Ogun State.
“I want to use this medium to express my heartfelt gratitude to the President for granting our state’s request and to the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, for his support.”
Abiodun noted that the road is the second busiest in Nigeria, after the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and vital to the economy of Ogun State and the nation.
“Abeokuta/Ifo/Sango Road connects Abeokuta and its hinterlands to Lagos State and links Ilaro in Ogun West to Sagamu in Ogun East.
“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 industrial hubs, including Lafarge Cement Factory and higher institutions. The communities along this corridor are densely populated and strategically vital to trade and economic activities.”
Abiodun disclosed that five construction gangs would work on the project for speedy completion.
“Each team will handle one of five zones: Ota/Ifo, Papalanto, Ewekoro/Itori, Abeokuta, and palliative works to ensure smooth traffic during construction. The project is expected to be completed in 18 months.”
The governor emphasised that the project would create jobs for both skilled and unskilled workers, improve security along the axis, and provide a conducive environment for businesses.