The National Association of Local Government Appointees have called on residents of Ogun State to continue to support the unprecedented transformation of the infrastructural development going on in the State.
The Association while reacting to the State of the roads in Ogun State, commended the Prince Abiodun led administration for its intervention in making the roads in the State motorable in spite of the roles played by the immediate past Governor of the State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun in misleading the public.
The Association in a Statement signed by its Chairman, Dr Abayomi Arabambi said contrary to the claim by Senator Amosun that he had paid for all roads he was expanding then, ended up in deceiving the residents of the State by leaving those roads unattended to because findings showed that his administration was owing more contractors than N200b,.
The former governor was emphatic in telling us lies that most of the roads he was expanding then had been fully paid, but when the current administration came on board, an inquiry into the administrations showed that the last administration was owing the contractors over N269billions Naira, and this made them to abandon the roads.
But because government is continuum, the Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration completed many of these roads and also embarked on construction of others without apportioning blames.
Many of the failed roads in the State today were those destroyed by the last administration and efforts are on to ensure that they are rehabilitated and put into good motorable condition.
It could be recalled that many roads have been constructed by this administration apart from those that were rehabilitated.
Recently, the Governor Commissioned the Sagamu-Iperu-Ode-Sapade road, a significant infrastructural achievement.
The road was officially opened on Wednesday as part of the anniversary celebrations.
Governor Abiodun also announced the award of the contract for the construction of the Siun-Ogere-Iperu-Ilisan road. This follows the recent commissioning of the popular Hospital Road in Ogijo, Sagamu Local Government Area, where the governor pledged to maintain the momentum of infrastructural transformation across the state.
Speaking at the commissioning of the first two phases of the eight-kilometer road, Governor Abiodun emphasized the importance of a good road network for societal development. He highlighted that the newly reconstructed road not only serves the people of Remoland but also connects Lagos to Ibadan and other parts of the country, significantly reducing travel time.
Before the state government’s intervention, the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) had carried out palliatives on the road, but it remained in a terrible state, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes.
Now, the reconstructed road allows travels from Lagos to Ikorodu to Ogijo to Sagamu in less than 50 minutes, a substantial improvement.
The governor noted that the road project was divided into three phases to ensure quality construction. With the completion of the first two phases, the third phase has already been awarded, and the contractor has mobilized to the site. This initiative aligns with Governor Abiodun’s transport master plan, aimed at increasing ease of doing business, creating jobs, and reducing crime in the long run.
Additionally, Governor Abiodun announced that the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport has been licensed to commence non-scheduled flight operations, with approval for scheduled flights expected soon. He also hinted that the construction of the Kajola Dry Port would soon be flagged off, further boosting the state’s infrastructural development.
Hon. Adewunmi Onanuga, representing Ikenne and Sagamu Federal Constituency, expressed gratitude for the reconstruction of the road. Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, assured that the division of the project into three phases was to ensure quality, with the third phase already underway. The Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, lauded the governor’s remarkable achievements and thanked him for addressing the long-neglected road.
Apart from those listed to be constructed or rehabilitated by the State, there is also those ones by the collaborative measure with the Federal Government.
Dr Abayomi Arabambi said that recently, the governor explained that the collaborative agreement between the public and private sectors was predicated on the strengths of both sectors to achieve outcomes that neither could effectively accomplish alone.
“Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State has harnessed the potential of PPP to drive significant developments and give Ogun State focused and qualitative governance and as well create the necessary enabling environment for a public private sector partnership.
“This is fundamental to the creation of an enduring economic development and individual prosperity of the people of Ogun. Let me, therefore, highlight some of the notable projects of the State Government and their impacts through PPP:
“The Ogun State Agro Cargo Airport: Developed in partnership with the private sector, the Agro Cargo Airport is designed to facilitate the export of agricultural products, thereby boosting the agro-industrial sector.
Dr Abayomi Arabambi further emphasize that Ogun State Housing Development Projects involves Several housing projects, including the Prince Court Estate, have been developed through PPP arrangements to address the housing deficit.
Arabambi said that the Ogun State Energy Generation Projects which produces Lisabi Mini Power was developed in partnership with the private sector to generate 4.5mw Power for transmission and distribution within the State to Government core areas.
“Other projects of the State Government in the pipeline through PPPs include the Olokola Deep Sea Port, Sagamu Trailer Park, Sagamu Stadium, Hillcrest Estate, PMB Estate, Lomiro Oil Palm, OGSG Pharmaceuticals, OGSG Forestry project, Gateway Hotel Ota, Inland Dry Port at Kajola/Papalanto, amongst others,”.
Just few days ago, government also told us that succour is coming the way of motorists and residents of Ogun State as the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration has embarked on massive rehabilitation and reconstruction of many roads across the state.
Dr Arabambi also said that the several rehabilitation works carried out according to the Commissioner for Works, Engr Ade Akinsanya, will be prioritized, based on fund availability and the economic viability of those roads.
He said that 120 roads, spread across the 20 local governments in the State, were submitted by stakeholders.
He quoted Engr Akinsanya to have said the move was in line with the avowed commitment of the Dapo Abiodun-led administration to make Ogun more attractive to both local and foreign investors.
He noted that to make the exercise have the desired impact on the people, the governor mandated stakeholders, including royal fathers, lawmakers both state and federal, local government chairmen, community leaders, religious leaders, among others to submit critical roads that required immediate attention in their domain.
The Association Chairman also said Engr Akinsanya said rehabilitation works have commenced on some of the roads, while contractors will move to the remaining ones soon and that Governor Abiodun has also secured the collaboration of the Federal Government for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of an additional 14 roads.
Dr Abayomi Arabambi further noted via the State Commissioner for works statements that the roads to be jointly rehabilitated with the cooperation of the Federal Ministry of Works, include:
Laderin-Train Station (Phase 1), (ongoing);
Adesanolu road, Mowe (ongoing)
Liberty road, Oru Ijebu (ongoing)
Babcock road via Ilisan market road
Ayegbami road, Iperu; Safetedo Street, Iperu (ongoing)
Odo-Egbe Junction/Ereko/Ondo Road Junction (ongoing)
Major Thompson Road, Sagamu (ongoing)
Methodist Church, Iperu; Awokoya Street, Ijebu Ode; Kanga Lagos-Ilese road, Lots 1 (ongoing), Lots11, 111 amongst others.
While Our Association will not chide anybody from providing constructive criticism, we will appreciate Ogun residents to appreciate the good works of the present administration and point out areas where government attention is also needed rather than outright condemnation and name calling.
The Association finally appreciates the unparalleled and exceptional humble attributes of Gov DAPO ABIODUN for not towing the Line of former Governor AMOSUN who witch-hunts his predecessor Former Governor Gbenga Daniel through unfounded and unrealistic accusations even though we are aware Former Governor AMOSUN is guilty by public perceptions maladministration and institutionalized corruption
