The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has ‘prophesied’ good roads in Ogun State.
The former governor of Akwa Ibom State predicted the overturn of the deplorable federal roads across the state at the grand finale of the Yewa Cultural Festival on Saturday.
He said, “From today, I prophesy that your roads are done.”
He frowned at the deplorable state of federal roads in the state, adding that he had to painstakingly use the road to share in the feelings of the road users.
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 governments can ever have in Nigeria, just five local governments. Therefore, we recognise 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 if 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-Imek 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 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.