The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has promised to give the necessary support to the Ogun State Government on the reconstruction of all the deplorable federal roads in the state.
Akpabio stated this at the grand finale of the Yewa Cultural Festival with the theme: “Celebration of Culture, Tradition, Music, Cuisine and Dance,” held at the ultra-modern pavilion, Empire Field, Ilaro-Yewa, Ogun State on Saturday.
The senate president was particular about the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road, even as he affirmed that all hands would be on deck to ensure the completion of the road.
He said that he insisted on driving to the venue for him to have first-hand knowledge of what people go through on the road every day, adding that it took his team more than two hours to drive to Ilaro from Lagos.
Akpabio promised that the Senate would ensure that the construction of the road is handed over to a competent contractor, adding that they would work with the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun to ensure 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 used the occasion to advise youths in Yewaland and the state as a whole to stay off drugs and other fraudulent activities, assuring them that their lives would be better when they stayed clean.
“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.
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Abiodun pleaded with the Senate to prevail on the Federal Government to transfer the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Road to the state because of its importance to the socio-economic development of the state.
The governor said it took him three hours to drive from Abeokuta to Ilaro, noting that efforts made by the state to ensure the transfer of the road did not yield any positive results.
Prince Abiodun said that his administration is currently concluding discussions on the reconstruction of the Abeokuta-Olorunda-Imeko and the Abeokuta-Iborro-Ilaro roads.
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 noted that the Ilaro-Owode road is nearing completion in line with his promise to put an end to the era of only performing groundbreaking in Yewaland.
Prince Abiodun promised that his administration would continue to support various cultural initiatives to keep the identity of the people of the state intact.
Earlier in his remarks, the Olu of Ilaro and paramount ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle commended the Senate President and the governor for attending the grand finale of the festival.
He disclosed that the festival will be held 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.