By Habeeb Ibrahim
The Ogun State Government has commenced reconstruction efforts on the failing portion of the Sagamu-Ore-Benin Expressway, near the Sagamu old toll gate, following public complaints about the severe traffic gridlock plaguing the road.
The reconstruction aims to ease the frustration of motorists who have long experienced delays due to the road’s deplorable condition.
In a report published by The Punch on Saturday, road users lamented the hours spent in traffic jams caused by the road’s deterioration. Many had called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene and address the worsening situation.
Responding swiftly, Governor Abiodun paid an unscheduled visit to the affected portion on Sunday. His Chief Press Secretary, Lekan Adeniran, confirmed the visit, noting that the road is a crucial link between Lagos, the South-East, and South-South regions, making its poor state a source of hardship for daily commuters.
“The reconstruction of this road was awarded by previous administrations, but the project stalled after contractors completed work from the Benin end up to the outskirts of Ijebu-Ode. The interchange remains untouched due to insufficient funding,” Adeniran explained.
The governor revealed that the current problem stems from a blocked drainage system beneath the road, which is supposed to channel water from a nearby canal. This blockage has led to recurrent flooding, further complicating the situation.
To alleviate the immediate problem, workers from the state Ministries of Works and Environment have been mobilized to create an alternate drainage system and fill the bad portion of the road with hardcore, making it passable for motorists once again.
Governor Abiodun also disclosed that he had brought the issue to the attention of the Minister of Works, who assured him that plans are underway to either rehabilitate the road or provide interim palliative measures. The governor emphasized that he had informed President Tinubu of the need for urgent federal intervention.
“Last Thursday, I raised this matter with the President. Ogun State has been responsive to the plight of its people, and I have requested the Ministry of Works to award this road to a reputable contractor,” Abiodun said. He added that President Tinubu had authorized the Ogun State Government to take ownership of the project if federal action is not forthcoming within the next two days.
The governor reiterated his commitment to ensuring the reconstruction of the road, stating that his administration would not hesitate to take over the repair if the Federal Government does not respond promptly.
As the state government moves to restore normalcy, motorists and residents hope the reconstruction will provide a lasting solution to the challenges they have long endured on this critical road.
