The Lagos and Ogun State governments have requested to take over some key federal roads for rebuilding to enhance their local economies. The roads include Epe-Ijebu-Ode; Sagamu-Ikorodu; and Lagos-Abeokuta.
The States want to develop the roads and commercialise them for major economic gains.
The request was made to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on the matter by Ogun State Governor, Mr Dapo Abiodun, and a former governor of the state, Chief Segun Osoba, in Abuja on Thursday.
They made the appeal during a visit to Buhari at the Presidential Villa.
Osoba, while speaking with State House correspondents, said the meeting with Buhari was to seek support for the plans of the two states to rebuild the roads.
For instance, he said the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and Abiodun were “working hard” to dualise the Sagamu-Ikorodu road and link it with the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Osoba noted that the road would take some weight off the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway when completed, adding that the vehicular load on the latter was more than a single road could accommodate.
On the Epe-Ijebu-Ode road, he said, “If the road is rebuilt, it will also enhance the export free zone and the take-off of the Deep Sea Port Ogun State has envisaged.”
On his part, Abiodun said, “We have appealed to Mr President to transfer the roads to Lagos and Ogun states.
“We want to rebuild and commercialise them. The funding has been sourced through contractual discussions.
“The roads will seriously boost our economy.”
The governor added that funding would be through Public-Private Partnership, involving a consortium of contractors.
