‘Blame FG, not Dapo Abiodun for dilapidated Sango Ota-Abeokuta Road’

A public affairs analyst, Alhaji Malik Ibitoye, said Governor Dapo Abiodun should not be held responsible for the dilapidated state of the Sango/Ota-Abeokuta road.

Reacting to the criticisms of the governor by the public on the situation of some federal roads in the state, Obitoye noted that people should be properly educated about the workings of the three tiers of government.

It would be recalled that Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, while appearing on a Channels Television programme at the weekend noted that the Sango Ota-Abeokuta road and some others in the state were federal roads by which, through the provisions of the Highway Act, could not be taken over by state governments.

Fashola also said that the Sango Ota- Abeokuta road, which is being constructed by Julius Berger Construction Company, was being financed through the Sukuk fund, adding that Governor Abiodun once told him of his administration’s intention to take over the road, but asked him where the fund for the repairs would come from.

Abiodun had threatened to take over the road in the next two weeks if the Federal Government cannot find solution to its dilapidated state.

Ibitoye said it may be extremely difficult for the state government to finance such an expensive road project due to the current paucity of fund.

He said that the people of the state should appreciate Governor Abiodun’s resolve to take on such a huge project following the Federal Government’s refusal to repair the road despite repeated pleas by the state government.

“The governor has touched all the 236 wards in the state and there is no doubt that he has been able to change the face of the state. We need to understand the workings of that office and give him the opportunity to work.

“While I am not holding brief for the governor, I want the people to know the difference between federal and state roads.

“Governor Abiodun is doing his best for the people and we should see him as a man that has the love of his people at heart,” he said.

He then urged the residents of the state to continue to support the state government and contribute their quota to the development of the state as the nation moves towards the 2023 general election.