Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun, has flagged off the construction of the Abeokuta-Ifo-Ota-Lagos expressway, 21 years after the contract was awarded.

While flagging off the construction at Itori, Ewekoro LGA, on Friday, Abiodun said the road is significant not only to Ogun but also to Lagos state and the nation, as it provides a thoroughfare for people going to the neighbouring country.

“The plan for the reconstruction of this road did not just start today because we have the interest of our people at heart,” the governor said.

“We know this is a federal government road, and the state had to follow the due process before getting the required approval to commence the reconstruction.

This road was awarded in 2003, but since then, it has suffered insufficient funding, resulting in contractors working and many times abandoning the road at times for a year by when the roads would have suffered degradation.

“Our people have suffered too much travelling on this road, but today hope is renewed. I am glad to inform you that work is beginning on the road immediately.”

The governor said the project was reopened following an appeal made to the federal government after President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration last May through Dave Umahi, minister of works

Abiodun said five construction companies would be involved in the execution of the project for speedy completion.

“Each team will handle one of the following zones: Ota/Ifo, Papalanto, Ewekoro/Itori, Abeokuta, and the team allocated for palliative works to ensure smooth traffic along the project alignment during the construction duration,” he said.

“Each zone covers a distance of approximately 15 km.”

He said the project is expected to be completed in 18 months.

Efforts to reconstruct the 70-kilometre road began in 2019 but did not materialise after the federal government declined to release it to the Ogun government.