The deplorable state of the road linking Abeokuta township with Wole Soyinka Train Station was brought to the attention of Ogun State Government last year. The road is said to connect about 40 communities, among them Idi-Aba renowned for its age-long educational institution and not too long ago, playing host to Federal Medical Centre, as their main link to the railway station.
In the 50s and 60s, owned by the Baptist Mission, Idi-Aba provided secondary education opportunities to girls. The State Government is aware of the horrible and shameful condition of the road and the law-abiding governor, His Excellency, the one and only Prince, not wanting to gate-crash into a property that is not his, and incur the wrath of the Villa in Abuja, asked for permission to fix the road.
He has just gotten the nod to go ahead fixing Lagos-Ojokoro- Sango Otta, Ifo- Ewekoro-Abeokuta two-carriage Road –an exceedingly strategic road, economically, politically, historically and socially. It is the main road linking Lagos with Abeokuta. But it was allowed to degenerate into hell of a road.
The importance of the road is hinted at by the mere linking of iconic Professor Wole Soyinka, a citizen of the universe, to the train station. The Federal Government named the train station in Wole Soyinka’s name. It ought not be a case of a prophet that is without honour among his own people. Here is also an axis that promises to be booming economically. It will awaken entrepreneurship instinct inherent in Ogun State and bring prosperity to the state capital and by extension to the state once it gets the necessary infrastructure.
The state government says of the road in its official post: “This is a matter close to our hearts. Enhancing this route holds promise of rendering train travel more enjoyable. Yet we tread cautiously, refraining from vocalising our concerns, lest it be misconstrued as making excuses. Debates ensue, tangled in bureaucratic intricacies, as this particular stretch, albeit short, falls under the purview of the Federal Government, responsible for its upkeep.
To embark on reconstruction, the state government requires permission from the Minister. However, obtaining such authorisation proves a sluggish ordeal, hindered by bureaucratic inertia. It is note-worthy that the station complex was conceptualised to coincide with the development of its surrounding arteries, an integral part of the overarching scheme.”
Me thinks that once there is foot dragging in receiving approval, all the state government need do is to notify the Minister in writing that further to the government request on the road project, you would like to go ahead with it believing in the Minister’s anticipatory approval. The reconstruction is urgent.
I wonder if it is being suggested that if the state government had embarked on fixing the road, Bola Tinubu was going to dispatch Kayode Egbetokun, the IG accompanied by fierce-looking men, armed to the teeth, to halt the work and bring the insolent Dapo Abiodun, the Governor, to Abuja for discipline! It is a lame excuse Your Excellency, with due respect.
