★ Commissions Sagamu–ayepe Road
★ Approves Sagamu–ode, Ajaka, Ogijo Roads
★ Partners Industrialists To Fix Opic’s Agbara Estate Roads
Prince Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has assured that his administration would continue to accord priority to construction and rehabilitation of roads across the state and will continue to invest heavily on the same as road infrastructure constitutes a critical driver of economic activities, connectivity and overall development.
The governor, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development as a catalyst for socio-economic growth as he approved the construction of major road projects in Sagamu Local Government Area.
The approved roads include, Sagamu–Ode Road, Fadebo Street Road, Ajaka Road and the Likosi–Ogijo Road,
Speaking during the commissioning of the newly completed Sagamu–Ayepe Road, Governor Abiodun said his administration would continue to invest heavily on roads despite the huge backlog of neglected infrastructure inherited from previous administrations.
“Road infrastructure is a major economic enabler. This particular road connects Sagamu to Odogbolu and several densely populated communities. It is an extremely important economic corridor and that is why we have prioritised it,” he said.
He lamented that many roads across Ogun State had suffered years of neglect, noting that while his administration had made significant interventions, several others still required attention.
Beyond road infrastructure, Governor Abiodun said his government had recorded notable interventions in critical sectors such as health, education, housing and sports, stressing that his administration would remain focused on delivering dividends of democracy to the people.
“We will not be distracted by rabble-rousers. Our focus is to deliver on our promises, which is good governance and improving the quality of life of our people,” he added.
Earlier, Chairman of Sagamu Local Government Area, Hon. Jubril Odulate, said the Ayepe Road, which linked Sagamu with neighbouring local government areas, had been abandoned for years and left in a deplorable condition before the intervention of the State government.
He noted that the reconstruction of the road aligned with the State government’s ISEYA development agenda, adding that the local government had complemented the effort through the construction of the Awokoya Road.
The Akarigbo and paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, represented by the Radanuwa of Idado, Oba Musiliu Soile, described the road project as a major relief to residents, noting that it would significantly ease hardship and boost commercial activities within the axis.
Also speaking, the National President of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle, Repairer and Riders Association (ACOMORAN), Alhaji Shamseeden Apelogun, commended the State government, saying the improved road network would reduce hardship for riders, stimulate economic activities and attract more investors to the community.
Meanwhile, residents of Sagamu and indeed Remoland have commended the administration of Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for the completion of the 3.65-kilometre Sagamu–Ayepe Road (Phase I), describing the project as a major catalyst for economic growth and sustainable development.
Mr. Adekumbi Sangoniyi, a resident expressed appreciation for the project saying the road would enhance economic activities and improve the quality of life, while an artisan, Mr. Adesegun Oluwole, noted that it has eased access to farms, markets and schools.
A commercial tricycle operator in the area, Mrs. Adenike Adebayo, described the road as no longer a death-trap as it would make transportation safer and faster.
A farmer, Mrs. Adetutu Kilani, also praised the State government for its infrastructural strides.
In his welcome address at the event, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, described the Sagamu–Ayepe Road as a strategic route connecting Sagamu to Ayepe and serving as an alternative link to Ikenne, adding that the project had improved access to Ofin High School, Farm sites and over 40 communities, including Sakura and Lalu towns.
Akinsanya listed features of the road to include a single carriageway, reinforced concrete drainage systems, culverts and lane markings urging residents to take ownership of the infrastructure.
Also, in a related development described as a strategic move, the State Government has announced plans to commence the comprehensive rehabilitation of roads and drainage systems within OPIC’s Agbara Industrial and residential Estates to further strengthen the ease of doing business in that locality.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Housing and Managing Director of Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation, OPIC, Arc. Abiodun Fari-Arole, gave this hint in Abeokuta, during a stakeholders’ meeting with Industrialists from OPIC’s Estate, Agbara.
The OPIC Boss said the meeting was to discuss and address the state of some roads in the estate, saying, rehabilitation of such roads would maintain the recognition of Agbara as a beacon of industrial excellence and improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State.
“This is a hub that contributes immensely to employment, innovation and national development, as we all know, our success depends heavily on the strength of our infrastructure development,” he said.
He added that poor roads affect logistics, increase cost and diminish the efficiency operation if left unattended to, saying it would challenge the competitiveness of the Industrial estate.
Arch. Fari further stated that road projects were highly capital-intensive, and that the government could not do it alone, hence, the need for collaboration and funding, with a sharing formula in which government cover 60 percent and 40 percent would be covered by the Industries, noting that the Corporation would set up joint committee to drive the project, open a procurement process in achieving transparency, accountability and project management unit to maintain day to day execution under the agreed guideline and funding model, among others, saying it would aid the successful road infrastructure process.
Arc. Fari- Arole urged industries to desist from discharging wastes into public drain, adding that it could lead to an unforeseen pandemic.
The Director, Planning Survey and Research, TPL. Dotun Akinwale presented the roads marked for rehabilitation which included, some parts of service roads, area 4 and 8 industrial roads and mix roads, among others, noting that those roads would further open up economic growth for the State.
Representative of African Fertilizer Nigeria Limited, who is also an Industrialist, Mr. Navneet Chaudhary, pleaded for the provision of trailer park for trailers plying the roads daily, saying, the need for the park would ensure long-lasting roads.
