Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun on Tuesday inaugurated the Laderin–Wole Soyinka train station road in Abeokuta.
Speaking during the inauguration on Tuesday, Abiodun announced plans to inaugurate 20 additional roads across the state as part of activities marking the state’s 50th anniversary.
He described the train station as a major landmark linking Ogun, Lagos, Oyo states and the northern parts of the country.
He noted that the presence of five train stations in the state underscored Ogun’s strategic importance to Nigeria’s economic development.
He explained that although access roads were not originally provided when the rail line was constructed, his administration decided to rehabilitate the road in line with its multimodal transportation agenda.
According to him, no fewer than 150,000 passengers, including investors, commute daily between Ogun, Oyo and Lagos states.
The governor disclosed that the train station road is part of the over 1,600 kilometres of roads constructed across the state.
He noted that construction work was progressing on the Sagamu Interchange–Papalanto–Opele road, describing the 100 kilometre highway as a critical east-west connector within the state.
He added that, when completed, the road will provide motorists with an alternative route, eliminating the need to pass through Abeokuta to access other parts of the country, while also opening up the corridor to increased commercial activities
“Let me share with you the biggest secret of our reconstruction efforts right now – the Ogun East-West connector.
This road stretches from the Sagamu Interchange through Papalanto to Opele, covering about 100 kilometres.
“We have completely closed off the road for reconstruction. As we speak, between Sagamu Interchange and Papalanto, which is about 40 kilometres, we have reconstructed approximately 25 kilometres using reinforced concrete.
“When completed, trucks and vehicles conveying goods and services from Ota, Ifo and Ewekoro will no longer need to use the Abeokuta–Sagamu expressway, as they can connect directly to Papalanto and access the expressway,” he said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, said the three-kilometre road would provide access to the MKO Abiola trade fair complex, Laderin, Lukosi and other surrounding communities.
Akinsanya, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Lateef Yusuf, noted that it would ease movement and boost commercial activities
