President Muhammadu Buhari has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would complete and inaugurate 2 major federal road projects in the South-West before the end of 2022.
The president said the 2 major federal roads include the Sagamu-Benin Expressway and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
According to a statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the assurance was given by Buhari in Abeokuta while addressing dignitaries when he inaugurated 5 key projects executed by the Ogun State Government.
The projects commissioned by the president included Gateway City Gate; the 42 kilometre Sagamu Interchange-Abeokuta Road; the 14 kilometre Ijebu-Ode-Epe Expressway and two Housing Estates for low, medium and high-income earners at Kobape and Oke-Mosan in Abeokuta.
According to NAN, Buhari was full of praises for the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, for delivering visionary and trail-blazing projects for the people, even in the midst of prevailing and challenging circumstances occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.
What the President is saying
Buhari described Abiodun as the performing Governor of Nigeria’s Gateway State as well as a worthy example of promises made, promises kept.
The president noted that the lofty projects could not have materialised without the state government’s huge investment and commitment to security of lives and property.
The president said, ‘‘This has made Ogun State one of the safest and most peaceful States in the country and investors’ destination of choice.
‘‘You (Prince Abiodun) have justified the mandate of the people of Ogun State. You have represented our Party very well.’’
The president expressed delight that the 14km Ijebu Ode-Mojoda-Epe Road inaugurated by him had been reconstructed into a modern expressway by the state government, noting that the impressive road would complement the Sagamu-Benin Expressway that the federal government is currently reconstructing; also due for inauguration this year.
He said, ‘‘Just across the road is the 42-kilometer Sagamu-Interchange-Abeokuta Road which the state Government has reconstructed and equipped with street lights.
‘‘That road enjoys a direct linkage with the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that the Federal Government is rebuilding and due for completion later this year.
‘‘I am particularly impressed by the quality and standard of your road projects, and the creative way you have deployed resources to reconstruct and rehabilitate them.
‘‘It is significant to note that the two road projects being commissioned today are federal roads. This is an example of constructive engagement, cooperation and collaboration between the States and Federal Government.
‘‘These roads also fit well into our rail transportation masterplan that connects Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital to Kano, with Ogun State having more rail stations, along the Lagos-Ibadan rail corridor.’’
What you should know
The Lagos-Ibadan expressway is a 127.6-kilometre-long (79.3 mi) expressway connecting Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State and Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city. It is also the major route to the northern, southern and eastern parts of Nigeria.
The reconstruction of the expressway was flagged off in July 2013 by Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the immediate past President of Nigeria, to help reduce the travel time of hundreds of thousands of commuters and international air passengers. The contract was awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria and Reynolds Construction Company Limited at a sum of N167 billion Naira.
