The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has urged the Federal Government to extend the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which he described as the busiest road in the country, to at least a ten-lane-road pattern.
Abiodun reckoned that the population explosion being experienced in the country has made the six-lane-road pattern on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway outdated.
Abiodun made the call when he received the Senate Committee on Works in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
He said it was important for the Federal Government to look out for alternative roads like the Sagamu to Ikorodu road and Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Road.
The governor called on the Senate to declare a state of emergency on federal roads within the state because of their poor state, adding that they are impeding economic activities in the state.
He said, “What is required would be like, at least a ten-lane road pattern, at the minimum. That should be considered by the Federal Government.
“I want to call on you to help us declare an emergency on the state of our federal roads. It is as if they are non-existent.
“We looked at these roads and we said it is important for people to be able to move between the states and the sub-region that share borders with us.
“We are appealing because it’s the only way we can continue to promote the economic development of our state.
“We are also developing the country and the multiplier effect can be imagined. Whatever it is that we do by bringing industries to Ogun State, the taxes are going to the federal purse; whatever it is that we do directly or indirectly, the federal government is benefitting.
“So, it is important for us to look out for ways and means to see how we can ensure that people can move with relative ease.”
In his response, the Chairman, Senate Committee for Works, Senator Adamu Aliero, disclosed that they were in the state to inspect all federal projects, particularly road projects.
According to him, their on-the-spot assessment confirmed that immediate attention would be needed to give the people some relief.
