The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, stated on Thursday that his government will keep working on infrastructure, especially in road construction, to help the economy and development.
Abiodun revealed this while opening the first part of the Siun-Owode-Ofada Road in the Obafemi Owode Local Government of the state, which is six kilometers long.
Talking at the event, attended by the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahaman AbdulRasak, Abiodun stressed the importance of road construction for the overall development of the state.
He described the newly renovated road as an option to the usually congested Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and said it would benefit the socio-economic development of communities along the road.
He said, “The road is a crucial link between communities to improve local economies and connect those travelling from Abeokuta to Siun, Owode up to Mowe. This local government is where people work in Lagos but live and commute daily.
“The road is an alternative route for people from Abeokuta to Lagos. It will significantly affect the socio-economic development of the state.”
He also mentioned that the Siun-Owode-Ofada Road is the first to be opened this year, and the Mowe-Ofada Road has been finished. He added that more roads including the Ilaro-Owode Road and the Gateway International Cargo Airport at Ilisan will be opened soon.
Abiodun mentioned that several roads in the Ogun Central Senatorial District have been worked on, including Obantoko, Gbonogun, Ikorita Meje-Aderinde-Olokotutu, Olomore-Sanni, Somorin-Kemta-Idi-Aba, Panseke-Adigbe, and the Olusegun Osoba-Toyin-Agbado.
He explained the delay in some road projects, attributing it to the high price of construction materials.
He said, “We have seen a slower construction pace due to the situation in the country in recent months, which has not allowed for fair pricing of construction materials.
“But for us, construction is very important. Apart from allowing for the movement of goods, services, and people, the construction industry is the largest employer of labor. So, we will continue to prioritize construction.
“We have chosen priority roads in each local government area. We will start our reconstruction process again due to the price stability. Our contractors will return to the sites. All the roads selected during our last town hall meetings will start to see construction work being done.”
Abdulrasak, who is also the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, commended Abiodun for the infrastructural improvements happening in the state.
Abdulrasak urged governors from other parts of the country to follow Ogun State’s example by providing their people with the necessary infrastructure to benefit from democracy's rewards.
Also present were the Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, Shuaib Salis; state Chairman, All Progressives Congress, Yemi Sanusi; the Chairman, Obafemi Owode LG, Adesina Ogunsola, among others.
