*Federal Government cannot afford to build all roads at the same time, says Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State

*Relates how deplorable state of roads causes accidents of trucks conveying raw materials, finished goods

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

In an attempt to rehabilitate the popular though dilapidated Lagos鈹�Abeokuta Expressway for the comfort of motorists and commuters as well as free flow of economic activities in the region, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governors of Ogun and Lagos states respectively, have formally requested the Federal Government to transfer the road to them for reconstruction.

Governor Abiodun, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in the State House, Abuja, FCT, told reporters that he met with the President to submit a letter seeking a transfer of the Federal road to the two states for action.

The governor stated that if the request is granted, both Lagos and Ogun states will commercialise the road and take the burden of reconstruction off the Federal Government.

Abiodun said: 鈥淚 also shared with him the pains on the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road as well. I came with a letter that I have written earlier on and pictures, to show him the deplorable state of this road.

鈥淭he Lagos鈹�Ota鈹�Abeokuta road is probably the second busiest road in this country. 鈥淭his road is in such a deplorable condition, and we understand that the Federal Government cannot afford to build all the roads at the same time, but as a state government, Lagos State government and I have written to Mr. President, asking Mr. President to transfer that road to us.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a commercial road and we鈥檒l commercialise it so that we can take that burden off the federal government,鈥� he said.

鈥淚 also shared with him the pains on the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road as well.

鈥淚 came (to Abuja) with a letter that I have written earlier and pictures, to show him the deplorable state of this road.

鈥樷�橳he Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road is probably the second busiest road in this country.”

He stressed that the road “is in such a deplorable condition and we understand that the federal government cannot afford to build all the roads at the same time.

“But as a state government, Lagos State Government and I have written to Mr. President, asking Mr. President to transfer that road to us.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a commercial road and we鈥檒l commercialise it so that we can take that burden off the federal government.”

The road connecting the Lagos port to Agbara (in Ogun State), which he described as the biggest industrial centre in the country, is an eyesore, said the governor.

He affirmedthat the road has completely collapsed to the extent that trucks conveying raw materials and finished goods between Agbara and Lagos Port often get involved in accidents because of its deplorable state.

The situation had become so frustrating to multinational companies operating in the hub聽 that they had threatened to leave the country, said Abiodun.

He revealed he was glad that the President promised to offer the needed support to execute the projects.

The governor stated: 鈥淚鈥檓 glad to say that Mr. President was very pleased with our discussions and these applications.

“He has promised to see what he will do to give us the necessary support so that this can also help us in the economic uplift of our region.”