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• As I.S.E.Y.A. brings back 1,600-km highways
By Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
On May 29, 2019, there were no fewer than 4,000 kilometres of dilapidated roads in Ogun State. But seven years later, 2,000 kilometres of roads are nearing construction, courtesy, I.S.E.Y.A. Agenda.
Apart from state roads, federal roads have gained adequate attention from the administration. One of these is the ongoing reconstruction of Lagos-Sango Ota-Abeokuta Road. Since work commenced on pivotal express road, the agony and harrowing experience motorists and commuters had hitherto faced, has since vanished.
No doubt, Governor Abiodun has been dubbed with the cognomen “Mr Road” among supporters and policy watchers. But beyond the nickname, the administration’s approach has been deliberate: prioritize roads that unlock agriculture, connect industrial clusters, and link Ogun to Lagos and other states.
Abeokuta, the state capital and its environs, account for over 30 completed roads so far, with more under construction.
Commissioning the Imashayi-Igan-Okoto-Ayeroro Road (Phase 2), Governor Dapo Abiodun assured residents that the last phase of the road would be completed to fully connect the corridor to Ayetoro, thereby improving transportation and economic activities in the area.
He emphasised that his government would continue to deliver road infrastructure across the three senatorial districts until the end of his tenure. Describing Yewa North as one of the food baskets of the state, the governor said it was crucial to link farming communities with major towns to facilitate the movement of agricultural produce from farms to markets:
“Today, we have constructed over 20 road projects in Yewaland and Ogun West. While the number may not appear large, many of these roads are quite extensive and are equivalent to about six or seven roads in other senatorial districts.
“For instance, the Agbara–Atan–Lusada Road is a dual carriageway expressway spanning about 20 kilometres, yet it counts as a single project. The same applies to the Ilaro–Owode Road and several other roads we are currently constructing, as well as those recently awarded and others that will soon be awarded.”
The governor assured residents that his administration would continue to provide purposeful, impactful, and inclusive leadership through the implementation of both micro and macroeconomic policies.
He vowed to complete the ongoing 20km Akute–Ijoko dual carriageway – 40km with drainage. Palliative works are also on Sango–Idi-Iroko and Sango–Ota–Abeokuta corridors.
Some of the Key delivered projects include: 2km Idi-Aba–Elite–One Lantoro Road, 2k; 1.42km Bayo Oju–Ejigbo–Ijeun–Ake Road; 3.41km Olomore–Sanni Road, 6.5km (Phase 1) Lafenwa Rounder–Ayetoro Road; 5.7km Somorin–Kemta–Idi-Aba Road; 7.5km Obantoko Road; Kuto Flyover and Interchange, and Elega–Mokola Bridge Entrance.
Others are Lantoro–Oke-Yidi–Isale Ake Junction Road, recently commissioned as a critical artery serving Sacred Heart Hospital, School of Nursing and the Muslim praying ground; Laderin–Prof. Wole Soyinka Train Station Road, linking Abeokuta to five train stations that connect Ogun to Lagos, Oyo and the North.
The 70-kilometre Ota–Abeokuta road is under reconstruction, while the 81.6km Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway was flagged off for full rebuild in 18 months, covering Ota, Ifo, Papalanto, Itori-Ewekoro and Abeokuta zones. The 100km Sagamu Interchange–Papalanto–Opele “Ogun East-West Connector” is at 25km completed in reinforced concrete, designed so trucks from Ota, Ifo and Ewekoro bypass Abeokuta city.
In Ogun Ogun East, 16 urban roads have been completed in Ijebu-Ode and its axis. These include 3.1km Molipa/Fusigboye/Ayegun/Ososa Road, 3.1km and 3.2 Molipa Expressway; 7.1km Oru–Awa–Ilaporu–Ibadan Road; Iworo–Ogbogbo–Igbeba Road, linking Ijebu North-East to Ijebu-Ode and easing movement of farm produce.
The administration also constructed strategic inter-state roads, with the Epe–Ijebu-Ode Expressway leading the pack. It will take travellers from Ijebu Ode axis to get to Epe-Lekki axis in Lagos State, in just 12 minutes.
To connect border communities and industries, and enhance socioeconomic development in the Ado-Odo/Ota, Yewaland and Imeko-Afon, completed works include: Ikola/Navy/Osi–Ikola Road and Singer–Toll Gate Road, completed phases of Atan–Lusada–Agbara Road – 20km dual carriageway described as critical for the state’s industrial belt; 3.12km Oke-Erinja–Ilobi Road.in Yewa South LG, extending to a key agricultural hub; Imashayi–Igan-Okoto–Ayetoro Road, (Phase 2). This is a 21km road with reinforced concrete in the flood-prone section.
The governor’s team said the scheme is “phased and engineering-driven, with projects evenly distributed across the state and selected via participatory governance with traditional rulers, clergy and market groups. The target remains 2,000km before 2027, with 1,650km already delivered.
“Whether in Ogun Central’s capital links, Ogun East’s agro-industrial routes, or Ogun West’s border connectors, the administration has made road construction its signature. For residents and investors driving the new Kobape–Siun–Sagamu corridor, the asphalt is more than political concrete — it is the most visible argument for why the ‘Gateway State’ is open for business.”
