The presence of good roads anywhere in the world is a catalyst for economic growth and development. Roads are harbingers of prosperity as they aid businesses transactions, movement of goods and services, and rapid industrialisation. It is in this context that any government desirous of bringing development to its people must, as of necessity, open up the geographical space with a good road network.
This assertion is aptly demonstrated in the ongoing 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, which was designed by the Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to accommodate new communities such as industrial clusters, hotels, factories, housing estates, among others, thereby opening up new frontiers of opportunities for the people along the entire stretch of the road.
Having realised the importance of good road network in its quest for rapid development and economic prosperity, the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration in Ogun State has since 2019 constructed more than 500km of roads. To add to this number, the governor last week invited his colleague from Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to commission the newly rehabilitated 6km Siun-Owode road. The commissioned road is the first phase of the Siun-Owode-Ofada-Mowe road. The other segment, taking off from Mowe, is also under reconstruction and is expected to be completed soon to open up the entire stretch.
Opening up this road is very important for the rapid development of that axis of the state. With Lagos unable to contain its massive population explosion, coupled with exploitative rent, the Mowe-Ofada-Owode-Siun axis has become an attractive option for many. The completion of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, which makes the journey to Lagos faster, has added an impetus to the mass movement of people from Lagos. Most lands in the axis have been snapped up by people desperate to have a roof over their heads.
The axis plays host to many private estates. In the last couple of years, realtors have identified the area as being conducive for business opportunities and moved in droves to take advantage of its proximity to Lagos. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Lagos chapter, has another massive estate being developed at Abaren village, which is just a few minutes’ drive from Mowe.
The axis is also becoming another industrial zone in the state, with many companies springing up along the Abeokuta-Sagamu expressway.
The improved road infrastructure will surely attract new industries and businesses, especially in the Siun-Owode axis. This will lead to the growth of local industries and the creation of employment opportunities for the local population. It can also encourage investment in the area and stimulate economic development.
It is bound to enhance transportation efficiency by greatly reducing travel time. It serves as an alternative route to the Lagos-Ibadan expressway anytime there is traffic hiccup on the ever-busy road. This allows people to reach their destination in time. It also saves businesses transportation costs and improves the supply chain, making it easier for goods to reach their destination in record time.
The Siun-Owode road passes through agricultural areas, providing farmers with better access to markets. This will enable farmers to sell their produce more easily, reducing post-harvest losses and improving their income. It also encourages agricultural activities and supports the growth of the agricultural sector in the region.
This is more so when a large number of people are going into large scale farming. The area has in the last decade played host to mechanised farming and animal husbandry, including piggery, poultry and horse rearing.
The road also traverses the Ilaro-Papalanto-Sagamu Interchange, which is being reconstructed under a Public Private Partnership arrangement between Ogun State, the Federal Government and the Dangote Group. When this is completed, it will also ease traffic on the Abeokuta-Siun-Sagamu Road, which is currently providing a link from the Ota axis to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The axis, with the largest concentration of limestone deposits, provides untapped opportunities for industrial concerns with good road networks.
Six more roads have also been approved by the state’s Executive Council as major priority projects for execution. They are Abule Egba-Ota/Sango-Abeokuta Expressway (70km), Ode Remo Junction to Sapade (phase 3) (5.5km, Ayepe Junction to Mayflower in Ikenne Local Government, Adesan Street, off Mowe-Ofadaroad in Obafemi Owode Local Council, the 19.2km Atan-Lusada-Agbara road in Ado Odo/Ota Local Council and Hospital Road, Ogijo, in Sagamu Local Council.
The Abule Egba-Ota-Sango-Abeokuta Expressway is a massive project. Its completion is bound to affect the economy of the entire state, with its linkage to the Agbara Industrial Complex, the Dangote Cement factory at Ibeshe among other industries scattered across the zone.
In the same vein, the Adesan Street project leads directly to the NUJ Abaren estate, with more than 10 other estates and individual developers also present.
Speaking at the commissioning, Prince Abiodun promised that his administration would continue on its infrastructural trajectory, having identified road as a catalyst for economic growth and development, even as he said the newly rehabilitated road will serve as an alternative to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, while also impacting positively on the socio-economic development of communities along the road.
“The road represents a vital link between communities to boost local economies and connect all those coming from Abeokuta to Siun, Owode up to Mowe. This local government is where people work in Lagos reside and commune daily. The road is an alternative for people from Abeokuta to Lagos. It will significantly impact the socio-economy development of the state,” Abiodun said. The governor said the road is the first to be commissioned this year. More roads, he added, are slated to be commissioned soon. According to Governor Abiodun, roads such as Obantoko, Gbonogun, IkoritaMeje-Aderinde-Olokotutu, Olomore-Sanni, Somorin- Kemta-Idi-Aba, Panseke-Adigbe as well as Olusegun Osoba-Toyin- Agbado have either been reconstructed or rehabilitated in Ogun Central Senatorial District.
Prince Abiodun regretted that the high inflation rate in the country had affected some ongoing projects, delaying delivery time as the prices of construction materials had skyrocketed following the poor rate of the naira to the dollar. “We have had a slow down on construction due to the situation of things in the country in the last few months which has not allowed for objective pricing of construction materials. But for us, construction represents a lot. Besides the fact that road construction allows for the movement of goods, services, and people, the construction industry is the largest employer of labour. So, we will continue to prioritize construction. We have harvested priority roads in each local government area. We will begin our reconstruction all over again as a result of the price stability. Our contractors will go back to sites. All the roads harvested during our last town hall meetings, you will begin to see construction on the roads,” Abiodun said.
Mallam AbdulRazaq, who was impressed by the infrastructural revolution going on in the state, said Governor Abiodun’s commitment to the well-being of his people was evident in completing the road project at such a time when the cost of construction had gone through the roof.
• Lekan Adeniran is Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun
