Relief would soon come the way of motorists and commuters plying Ado-Odo/Abeokuta expressway as Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun said his administration has awarded contract for the reconstruction of the 63km road.
Governor Abiodun who disclosed this at Ilaro on Thursday, during the commissioning of Ilaro -Iwoye-Owode road in Yewa South Local Government Area said the reconstruction of the road was part of his administration’s efforts to address the infrastructural deficit in the State.
He described the road as the second busiest in the country, adding that when completed, it would allow for the evacuation of goods and services from the axis through the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to other parts of the country.
He said construction work has commenced on the Sagamu-Papalanto road, while that of Papalanto to Ilaro is on course.
“We have just awarded the Ado-Odo/Abeokuta road. It will be the most expensive road this administration has reconstructed. It is 63 kilometres.
“That road is the second most busiest road in the country and extremely important to the economy of Yewaland, Ogun Central, and the entire Ogun State.
“From our industrial capital of Ado-Odo/Ota, it allows you to evacuate goods and services through that road to the hinterland. Those in Ado-Odo/Ota will go on that road through Papalanto, link the interchange, and you are there on Lagos-Ibadan expressway,” he stated.
Governor Abiodun said his administration has built affordable houses in Ilaro and constructed between eight to nine roads in Ogun West Senatorial District in fulfilment of his promise not to develop one part of the State to the detriment of others.
He said his government is working towards making the axis the food basket and cotton headquarters of the country through a strategic agricultural programme.
Abiodun maintained that the Commissioning of the Ilaro -Iwoye-Owode road which was in a deplorable condition since 1991, is part of the celebration to mark the five years of his administration, emphasizing that his focus on infrastructure was due to it being a key economy enabler that attract investors to the State.
While noting that the road would open up Yewaland, Ogun State and the country for more economic opportunities, the governor assured the people that any abandoned projects that have a direct impact on their lives would be completed.
The Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, said the road was in a state of disrepair and claimed many lives through accidents, kidnapping and robbery, adding that by putting the road in good shape, the governor has succeeded in saving the people from their harrowing experiences.
While noting that the road would give the people new lease of life and also address the infrastructural deficit in the area, Senator Adeola noted that businesses that had hitherto folded up in the axis, would be revived.
Former governor of the state, Aremo Olusegun Osoba in his goodwill message said the axis had in the past been the food basket that fed the state and Lagos, appreciating the governor for not embarking on elitist, but people oriented projects.
Osoba used the occasion to throw his weight behind the transformation of Abeokuta and other towns in the State through urban renewal programmes, urging him not to be distracted as there is the need to further open up the State for more economic prosperity.
Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Engr. Ade Akinsanya in his welcome address, said that the road will usher in socio-economic development and individual prosperity while investors would be attracted to do business in the area thus generating employment opportunities for the youths and get them usefully engaged.
Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, in his speech noted that despite its importance, the road was abandoned by previous State and federal governments, adding that the many palliatives done by the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), did not put the road in proper shape.
The commended Governor Abiodun and members of the National Assembly from the senatorial district for working together to change the narrative, saying it helped in fostering economic growth and enhanced commercial activities in the area just as it serves as a milestone for the execution of other people oriented projects in the senatorial district.
Highlight of the occasion was the commissioning of the road performed by Aremo Osoba.