As part of efforts towards ensuring regional integration and development in the South-West, the Ogun State Government has started the construction of roads to link it with other states in the region.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Olamilekan Adegbite, stated this while presenting a paper titled: ‘Provision of infrastructural facilities for rebuilding and transformation of Ogun State: SIA’s rebuilding agenda and South-West regional integration,’ at the fourth summit of the South-West Heads of Service in Abeokuta on Friday.
According to him, the Senator Ibikunle Amosun led administration has started the construction of the 29-kilometre Ofada-Mowe-Ibafo road to decongest Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and link Lagos.
Adegbite added that efforts had also been stepped up on the construction of four other major roads that would link the state with others in the region.
The roads, according to him, are Sagamu-Ogijo-Ikorodu road, Ijebu Ode-Epe road, OGTV-Ajebo road and Sango-Ojodu Abiodun road.
The commissioner also said two new trailer parks were to be created along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to complement the one already existing in Ogere and prevent avoidable accidents resulting from haphazard parking of articulated vehicles on the road.
Another plan of the government to link the South-West states, according to him, is the light rail project to be extended to the borders of Oyo State and link the Lagos rail project.
Adegbite expressed optimism that when completed, other states would link up with the project, saying this would enhance movement of goods and people, and ultimately, boost economic activities for the general well-being of the region.
While calling for deliberate collaborative efforts among the states of the region in such a manner that there will be joint efforts on the development of infrastructure, he however expressed the urgent need for all states in the region to join hands and improve cross border connectivity through increased investment in roads, railways and air transport towards enhancing economic activities for the general well-being of the region.
Speaking after the presentation, the chairman of the session and Head of Service, Ondo State Civil Service, Mrs. Kosemani Kolawole, said the beauty of the meeting was the experience sharing aimed looking at ways of putting smiles on people’s faces and restoring their trust in the democratic setting.
Kolawole gave an assurance that what had been learnt in Ogun State would be replicated in the other states in the region.