Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has explained why his administration is prioritising road development across the Gateway State.
He cited the desire to bolster the state’s socio-economic status and the economic importance of infrastructure as major forces driving his priorities.
He, however, restated his commitment to delivering dividends of democracy to every part of the state.
According to him, his focused administration would not be distracted by the rhetoric of armchair critics and fault-finders.
According to him, the state had the longest kilometres of federal, state and local government roads, which were in deplorable conditions when he assumed office.
He said that his administration consulted widely with stakeholders on the roads with the most significant economic importance to the state to guide prioritisation.
He also noted that roads connecting the state to adjacent states, whether intrastate, interstate, or those connecting farms to markets, have been receiving attention.
Abiodun, who stated this in Abeokuta, the state capital, said his focus is on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, rather than responding to baseless criticisms by out-of-favour politicians.
He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, we have reconstructed every major expressway connecting Lagos State to Ogun State as a matter of fact; every major expressway connecting Ogun State to adjacent states, from those that did not exist before to those that did exist. Is it Agbara-Atan-Lusada that was not motorable or the Epe-Ijebu-Ode that was not motorable? The journey between Epe and Ijebu-Ode now takes 12 minutes, and it is a world-class expressway.
“Between Epe and Ijebu-Ode, we now have two adjacent roads, one built by us, another one facilitated with Dangote, using his tax credit,” he added.
Abiodun maintained that his administration is currently reconstructing the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Expressway, regarded as the second busiest road in Nigeria, noting that he inherited the road in a deplorable state, as past governors had neglected it.
“But we saw that road as a road of high economic importance, and we fought tooth and nail to take over that road. Today, we are reconstructing the Interchange to Papalanto in reinforced concrete in partnership with another company using their tax credit, “he said.
