Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun has said he has received with series of complaints, serious concern and news of the developments in the protests in the Sango axis of Ogun State over the poor condition of the Federal Roads in the vital area: Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta Expressway, Ota-Idiroko, and Sango-Oju Ore roads.
This he said is understandable, and that no security agency will intimidate or stop any protester from making their needs known.
However, while we have already initiated palliative works on Ota-Idiroko Road; the same thing will commence on the Ota area of Lagos-Sango-Abeokuta Expressway where more, needed materials and equipment will soon be delivered; and full reconstruction of the Sango-Joju Road is awaiting approval from the State Executive Council.
He joined the Slogan “Let me s’ọ̀rọ̀ sókè that it is impossible for our State Government to reconstruct any Federal Road without necessary approvals from the Federal Government, yet we have carried out palliative works and will do more permanent works on these and other roads.”
He added, “Already, we have alongside the Lagos State Government approached and consistently pleaded with the Federal Government, to cede these critical roads among others, but we are still awaiting a positive response, so that we may ensure safe travels for the good people of Ogun State.”
The Governor said ” You’d recall that the first two road projects embarked on and completed within our first one year in office are in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, namely: the Osi Ikola-Navy and AIT/Raypower roads, showing our unalloyed commitment to our collective and unbiased betterment.
The condition of these roads has been made worse by the current rains despite the palliative works we have been carrying out pending the expected positive response from the Federal Government .
One of frequent road users, mr. Oluremi , an executive of a blue chip Company responded by saying “What I see is the Governor stating his side of the story..Truly he can’t do if he doesn’t have approval from FG.. However he should do more,the works will speak for him instead of the long grammar…i particularly liked the fact that he didn’t advise the protest to stop! Thank you! #EndImpunity Fix Magboro Road too.
Another citizen of Ogun, Mr. Kazeem Olaleye Bello, a logistics manager of an a-list Haulage company said “The law that prevents the state from repairing the federal roads should be abolished in Nigeria. The major problem is that,the problems keep increasing by the day because government rarely construct new roads; the rehabilitation of 2 old roads out of more than 100 existing roads will still give same result. Let local government function to its capacity and attend to most of the link roads rather than state doing two roads in a whole local government which will later make the effort futile”
The Governor said the Citizens should be rest assured, that his Administration will do every and anything that will ensure a better life for the people.
The Governor therefore urge all protesters to protest peacefully saying “It is your right. But let’s not allow our demonstrations to be hijacked by people with ulterior motives”.