The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun has flagged off the construction of the 10-lane Ijebu Ode-Epe road project promising that the road would be completed and commissioned by February 2021.
The flag off which was with fanfare was held at Ikoto near Ijebu Ode in Odogbolu local government area of the state.
The road project according to Gov Abiodun was awarded to Craneburg Construction Company under the public-private partnership arrangement and can later be translated to Build, Use and Transfer programme since the roads when completed will be tolled so that there could be resources for its maintenance.
The governor said that the 10-lane road project with five lanes on both sides would however have 14 lanes at the toll plaza for easy payment of tolls.
Abiodun noted that the construction of Ijebu-Ode-Epe road meant to connect Epe-Ajah-Victoria Island in Lagos State, would not only provide a perfect alternative route, it would ease traffic on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. It would also open the corridor up for so many commercial growth and economic development.
When the road project is completed, it would save travellers lots of priceless hours lost on a daily basis due to gridlock on Lagos/Ibadan expressway, while also assuring that the construction of the Sagamu-Ojigo and Sango-Ota-Abeokuta roads, among others would follow if the Federal Government agree to release these roads to the State Government.
The turning of the sod of the Ijebu-Ode-Mojoda-Epe 14km Road is, therefore, “a symbolic testimony of our Administration’s commitment towards creating an enduring economy for our dear State, and ensuring the well-being of the people of Ogun State.”
According to Governor Abiodun, in the last nine months, the state has “improved the business climate in our dear State within the context of Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) Agenda and a robust approach to good governance that is all-inclusive and participatory. The result has been a continuous growth in the economic development pattern of our dear State.
“We are determined to sustain this momentum. Our duty is to ensure a strategic allocation of resources on projects that have direct and positive impacts on the “Building our Future Together” Agenda.
“Perhaps, what makes this particular road very important is the fact that we cannot realize the full socio-economic benefits of the road if it is half-way done, particularly, that Lagos State has completed its side of the same road. Our people in both states want and deserve good governance. Let me, therefore, use this opportunity to restate our Administration’s commitment towards the infrastructural development in all parts of our dear State. “In fact, we will be unveiling two major roads in Ota, Ogun West Senatorial District, in a matter of days. These roads also link our dear State with Lagos. We should also keep in mind that Ogun State and Lagos State are still in talks with the Federal Government for the release of the rehabilitation of Lagos-Sango Ota-Abeokuta Expressway and Sagamu-Ogijo-Ikorodu road.
“As I have said earlier, we can only take full advantage of our proximity to Lagos, the fifth largest economy in Africa, if we provide good infrastructure which will help to put into economic expression, the proximity. It is more cheering and encouraging to note that Lagos State has demonstrated commitment towards partnership for the development of infrastructure in the border areas. This is why our two States are coming up with the Lagos-Ogun Joint Development Commission.”
