Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has pledged that the reconstruction of the Abeokuta-Ota-Lagos Expressway will be completed within the next 18 months.
The governor made this commitment during the official flag-off ceremony for the project on Friday, highlighting the strategic importance of the highway, which links Ogun State to Lagos and the Republic of Benin.
Governor Abiodun emphasized that the expressway, one of the busiest in Nigeria, is crucial to the economic well-being of the entire country.
He explained that the decision to reconstruct the road came after securing federal government approval, a move driven by the need to alleviate the suffering of commuters and improve connectivity between key economic hubs.
The governor noted that the road, originally awarded for construction in 2003, had suffered delays due to insufficient funding.
Determined to resolve this long-standing issue, Abiodun’s administration sought to take over the project from the Federal Government to ensure its completion.
The reconstruction will cover approximately 81.6 kilometers, with the project divided into five sections: Ota, Ifo, Papalanto, Ewekoro, and Abeokuta.
Each section will be managed by a dedicated team to expedite the work and ensure the entire project is completed within the promised timeframe.
“This road is of immense significance not only to Ogun and Lagos states but also to Nigeria and our neighboring West African country, Benin Republic,” said Abiodun.
“Our people have endured too much hardship on this road, but today, our hope is renewed. To ensure timely completion, we have put in place five teams, each responsible for about 15 kilometers of the highway.”
The governor also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting the state government the authority to manage the project, acknowledging that previous attempts to secure approval during President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration had been unsuccessful.
In his goodwill message, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, commended the federal government for approving the reconstruction, which he believes will bring relief to all Nigerians upon completion.
The monarch praised the Tinubu administration for reviving the long-neglected project and urged the inclusion of lay-bys at bus stops along the highway.
Oba Olugbenle also called for the construction of a flyover at the Papalanto junction in Ewekoro Local Government to reduce accidents and improve traffic flow.
