Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Nigerian Army, yesterday commenced grading and granite spreading of Lafenwa-Rounder-Ayetoro Road in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The road, which has been in a state of disrepair, leads to the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala Area of Abeokuta.
Flagging off the palliative work at the Rounder end of the road, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Lagos, Major General Olu Irefin, disclosed the intervention, which was in conjunction with a private construction company, was part of the civil-military palliative of Operation Crocodile Smile Exercise.
He expressed optimism that the palliative work would bring succour to road users and ease movement along the routes, stressing, “this is a civil-military palliative to help our neighbours who are assisting us, to be able to move freely within our communities.”
The GOC, however, called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to urgently fix the road to boost the socio-economic activities of the people of the area and to enhance quick response of the army operatives to crimes and criminality in the state.
“We do sincerely hope that the governor who has the interest of the people at heart, who is focused, will look towards this direction and assist in fixing this road. In the long run, it shortens our time to react to issues if and when necessary,” Irefin said.
Meanwhile, the GOC has allayed the fear of the people of the state over the commencement of Operation Crocodile Smile IV.
He said the exercise was not to victimise the people but to protect them from criminals, especially during the festive period.