Ogun, China-Africa partner over reconstruction of Agbara-Igbesa road

As part of its infrastructure provision drive, aiming at revitalizing the economic activities in Ogun State, especially, the Agbara- Igbesa axis, Ogun State government in conjunction with a private firm, China-Africa Investment has began through Public- Private-Partnership (PPP), the reconstruction of 10km Lusada-Igbesa road.

The reconstruction of the 10km, single carriage-way, was designed to accommodates the median, streetlights, drains and walkway facilities, with quality job assured.

Speaking at the occasion of the ‘Ground Breaking’ to kick-start project execution recently, the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, stated that the decision to reconstruct the road was based on government’s determination, not only to upgrade the quality of lives in axis, but to further enhance the status of the area “being the industrial hub of the Gateway State”.

The Governor, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Engineer Kayode Ademolake, said the public private participation (PPP) arrangement, is on the basis of Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) model,  “This model was not only aimed at involving the private sector in the provisions of key infrastructure, but employed to also free needed fund that would enable the government to provide more dividends of democracy”, he said, pointed out that those whose buildings were affected due to the road reconstruction had been compensated by the government.

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He also added that residents of Igbesa town as well as Okada riders and Keke Napep operators will be exempted from paying tolls on the road when completed.

Besides, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Olamilekan Adegbite,an architect, hinted that government has designed a road system for the whole of the state that stretches from Abeokuta to Lagos via Mowe-Ibafo going through Sagamu, with that from Sagamu to be extended to Ijebu-Ode.

In addition, he said that with Sagamu, as a hub, it’s road will be extended to Ilaro, to Ota en-route Agbara, linking the industrial areas. The road system was designed in a five-phase project. He also noted that the infrastructural development that has dotted the state has solved the transportation problem as well as improved the presence of industries, which has resulted to improvement of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The Commissioner also seized the opportunity of the occasion to showcase many infrastructure provisions made available by Governor Ibikunle Amosun-led administration  of which he attributed it’s successes to the fact that the governor had, prior to his election, developed a detailed and voluminous blueprint of what to do in office.

“It was easy for him to translate the blueprint into reality in the area of Infrastructural development, because, he was part of the group for its development. The all round development witnessed in the state was an orchestrated plan by the governor and his think-tank group”.

Speaking on behalf of the indigenes, the Asiwaju of Igbesa and Chairman Community Consultative Forum, Asiwaju Ajibola Olagbaye, assured of the full support of his people, appealing to motorists and other road users to bear strains and stress of the short period during the reconstruction period.