Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has expressed his administration’s readiness to collaborate with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to reconstruct the dilapidated Ogijo-Sagamu road.
Abiodun made this known on Monday at the official inauguration of the four-kilometre Oba Erinwole road in Sagamu.
He said that work would commence on the construction of Hospital Road in Sagamu during the week.
The governor expressed his dismay that previous administrations had left the Oba Erinwole road unattended to, despite its direct bearing on the socio-economic lives of the people, saying that this had led to its deplorable condition.
“We realised that majority of these roads have direct bearing on the economic circumstances of our people. One of such neglected roads is this Oba Erinwole road.
“As at the time we came into office, the road had become a nightmare; completely impassable and was causing untold hardship to our people, while Sagamu was becoming a pariah among cities because of this neglect.
“I am, therefore, happy to be here today to inaugurate this same road. This project again is a touchstone to our commitment as a promise-keeping administration. We will continue to fulfill all our promises in all parts of Ogun.
“Till date, over 80 major roads and others (federal roads inclusive), totalling 400 kilometres, have been constructed, reconstructed or rehabilitated across the state.
“This administration, in three years and six months, has done more in terms of kilometres of roads than previous administrations in the state,” he said.
The governor noted that the road, apart from being a major link to Lagos, the nation’s economic capital and livewire of economic activities to Sagamu, it would also provide access to the retinue of industries operating in the axis.
He stressed that the road was constructed to meet standard, just as he said it would improve the living standard of the people and open up the potentials of Sagamu for more investors.
He emphasised that the road was chosen by the people, based on their needs, assuring that his government would ensure that all local government areas benefit from road projects.
In his goodwill message, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, noted that the road, before the reconstruction, was one of the most deplorable roads in the state, appreciating the governor for keeping to his words by reconstructing the road.
While thanking the Abiodun-led government for spreading development projects to all parts of the state, the royal father said that the administration would be a reference point for years to come in the state.
Chairman of Sagamu Local Government, Mr Afolabi Odulate, said that the intervention of the state government in putting the road back in good shape was something the people would be grateful for in many years to come.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Akin Adesanya, said that the road, which was constructed to meet acceptable standard, would promote economic relationship between the people of Sagamu and Ikorodu.
He added that the project had provided jobs for the youth as well as impacted on the socio-economic development of residents of the area.