The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has pledged to provide the Ogun state government with the necessary assistance for the reconstruction of all the state’s bad federal highways.
Akpabio made this statement at the Yewa Cultural Festival’s grand finale, with the theme “Celebration of Culture, Tradition, Music, Cuisine and Dance,” which was held on Saturday at the ultra-modern pavilion at Empire Field in Ilaro-Yewa, Ogun State.
The Senate President who expressed concern about the Lagos-Ota-Aneokuts Road also promising that all hands would be on deck to see that the Road was finished.
He explained that he insisted on driving to the venue so as to see firsthand the struggles that motorists face every day, adding that it took his team well than two hours to travel from Lagos to Ilaro.
Akpabio promised that the Senate would see to it that the road’s construction was given to a qualified contractor and that they would cooperate with the Dapo Abiodun administration to see to its completion.
He said: “The 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is going to get the list of things you want us to do here.
“I saw the road, two trucks fell on the road, so we ended up spending over two hours on the road. I was determined to go through the road that you go through. Now, I have seen what you have been seeing. From today, I prophesy that your roads are done.
“Yewaland has the greatest number of industries that local government can ever have in Nigeria, just five local governments. Therefore, we recognize the need to use the best set of contractors to do your roads because of the wear and tear. I assure you that we will be working with our brother, Dapo Abiodun. Your lives will not be the same again.”
Senator Akpabio at the event urged youths in Yewaland and throughout the state to abstain from drugs and other illegal activities, promising them that their lives would be better if they did.
“For the youths of Yewaland, I will advise you, never engage in anything that will bring disrepute to your domain. Don’t do drugs, no banditry, no kidnapping, no fraud. I assure you that the blessings of God will be upon you,” he said.
Governor Abiodun pleaded with the Senate earlier in his speech to persuade the federal government to give the state control over the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Road because of its significance to the socioeconomic growth of the state.
The governor noted that the trip from Abeokuta to Ilaro took him three hours and noted that the state’s efforts to ensure the transfer of the road had been unsuccessful.
Abiodun stated that the Abeokuta-Olorunda-Imeko and Abeokuta-Iborro-Ilaro road repair debates are currently coming to an end under his administration.
He said: “I also want to announce to you that I am currently concluding discussions with the Minister of Works on the reconstruction of the Abeokuta-Olorunda-Imeko road and the completion of the Abeokuta-Iborro-Ilaro road. This will complement the Imasayi-Iborro-Ayetoro road.
“Mr Senate President, it took me three hours to get here from Abeokuta. I am sure it took you just as much to get here from Lagos because of the deplorable state of Lagos-Abeokuta Road. Mr Senate President, please help us with the Federal Government to transfer this road to us. This road is very key to our socio-economic economic development.”
The governor disclosed that the construction of the Sagamu-Obele road has commenced, using the Dangote Cement Company tax credit scheme.
“I am proud to say that the construction of Sagamu to Obele road that I personally facilitated in 2019 when I assumed office in partnership with Dangote Cement Company using the Federal tax credit scheme has begun,” he said.
The governor also stated that the Ilaro-Owode road is approaching completion, fulfilling his vow to halt the practise of just performing groundbreaking in Yewaland.
Abiodun vowed that his administration would continue to promote diverse cultural activities in order to preserve the state’s character.
Earlier, the Olu of Ilaro and supreme monarch of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, thanked the Senate President and the governor for attending the festival’s grand finale.
He revealed that the festival will take place every two years.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of an award of excellence on Governor Dapo Abiodun and the installation of the Senate President as the Are Fiwagboye of Yewaland.
