Hope for Commuters as Abeokuta-Lagos Expressway Wears New Look.

Motorists and commuters in Ogun State are celebrating a new lease on life as the long-neglected Abeokuta-Sango-Ota-Lagos expressway undergoes a significant transformation. The ongoing reconstruction, championed by the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has brought a wave of relief, dramatically improving travel conditions on the once-deplorable federal road.

The project, which was flagged off on August 23 last year with a projected 18-month completion timeline, is moving at an impressive pace. 🚀 Five different gangs are working simultaneously at key points along the route, including Olomore, Midgad/Metroxide, Papalanto Junction, Owode, and the Toll Gate axis. Progress is visible, with earthwork, stone bases, and drainage completed in several sections, and asphalt laying well underway.

A Long-Awaited Intervention
For years, the expressway was a source of frustration and danger for road users. The Olu of Itori, Oba Abdul Fatai Akorede Akamo, highlighted the road’s history of abandonment by both federal and previous state administrations. He lauded Governor Abiodun for “taking the bull by the horns” and prioritizing the project, noting that the governor has proven to be a man of his word. “I have never witnessed such a governor in the state since my enthronement who says something and achieves it,” the monarch stated.

ADVERTISEMENT

The positive impact is already being felt. A transporter, Opeyemi Akindele, who frequently travels the Abeokuta-Papalanto route, confirmed that the project has led to a significant reduction in accidents and has eased traffic bottlenecks that were once a daily struggle. He recounted how parts of the road were “like swimming pools” and how constant vehicle breakdowns were a thing of the past. Akindele, however, called for the provision of a dedicated trailer park near Papalanto to prevent articulated vehicles from obstructing the newly fixed road.

Commuters Share Their Joy
Residents and other commuters echoed these sentiments. Ololade Anjolaoluwa, a Papalanto resident, expressed gratitude, saying, “The road was very bad before now; the traffic around here was huge in the past, but now, we thank God that the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun has come to our aid.” Another resident, Akande Michael, also appreciated the progress and urged the contractor to maintain the momentum to deliver the project on schedule.

The state government’s decision to take over the reconstruction of the federal road, which was handed over by the current federal administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been widely praised as a testament to its commitment to the welfare of its citizens. The project not only promises smoother travel but also aims to boost economic activity and connectivity between Lagos and Ogun states.