The Convener of the United Premier Movement (UPM) in Abeokuta,Chief Olalekan Shoyinka, popularly known as Ayinla Egba, has urged the Ogun State Government to complement its latest announcement of statewide road repairs with transparency, accountability, and measurable delivery.
Shoyinka, commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for what he described as a proactive attempt to tackle Ogun’s reputation as the “state with the poorest roads in Nigeria.”
While applauding the government’s decision to mobilise road maintenance teams across all 20 local government areas, Shoyinka insisted that residents were no longer swayed by promises and press statements but wanted to see visible evidence of work on the ground.
“While we appreciate the swift statement by Engr. Babatunde Adesina, Special Adviser on Public Works, we must remind the administration that actions—not press releases—repair roads,” he said.
The advocate recalled that in July 2024, the Commissioner for Works, Engr. Ade Akinsanya, pledged that 120 roads across the 20 LGAs would be rehabilitated, but no comprehensive report has been provided on the progress of that commitment.
To restore trust, Shoyinka outlined key measures for the government, including publishing a full list of targeted roads with realistic timelines, disclosing contractors handling the projects, updating residents on previous commitments, and adopting community monitoring through local leaders, engineers, civil society groups, and the media.
According to him, transparency and public participation are critical if the administration wants to convince Ogun residents that their taxes are being put to work.
“Let the roar of graders and the sight of asphalt on long-neglected roads replace the echo of political assurances,” Shoyinka declared. “Ogun State deserves roads we can drive on, not just roads we can read about.”
He stressed that effective road rehabilitation would not only restore public confidence in government but also stimulate commerce, ease transportation, and make communities across the state more accessible.
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