Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun on Thursday criticised previous administrations for neglecting the Alagbole–Akute–Ajuwon–Agbado–Ijoko corridor in Ifo Local Government, despite its economic importance, saying years of abandonment had imposed needless hardship on residents.
Speaking at the commissioning of the newly reconstructed Akute–Ajuwon–Alagbole road, Abiodun described the project as a significant milestone for the area and the state’s broader development agenda. He also announced plans to award 11 additional roads for reconstruction to further open up Ogun’s economic corridors.
The governor said the project responds to longstanding appeals from residents, noting that his administration had earlier rehabilitated several connecting routes including Alhaji Kosoko Road, Segun Osoba Road, Toyin Street and the Yakoyo–Alagbole Road.
He added that work on the Hercules–Oke Aro–Giwa Road has been completed and will soon be commissioned.
Abiodun explained that the rebuilt Akute–Ajuwon–Alagbole corridor is part of a larger network linking multiple communities. He disclosed that work is ongoing on the first phase of the Akute–Sango dual carriageway — a 17-kilometre project abandoned by a previous administration — covering 9.7 kilometres up to the Agbado Train Station. The second phase, extending to Sango, will be awarded soon.
The governor said the two roads commissioned at the ceremony were the 1.5-kilometre Alagbole–Ajuwon Road and the 4.5-kilometre Akute–Ajuwon Road. He added that the Alagbole–Akute Road would be completed in two to three weeks, with a formal opening planned before the new year.
Abiodun noted that the Ifo II road projects form part of the state’s Urban Renewal Programme under the ISEYA agenda, pointing to other completed or ongoing works across Ogun Central, including the Sango–Ijoko–Agbado Road, Adesan Road, Magboro–Makogi Road, Elega–Isaje–Miliki–Bode–Olude Extension, Oke–Lantoro–Yidi Lane and the Sango–Abeokuta Road.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for supporting infrastructure development nationwide and commended Ifo residents for their patience throughout the project period.
Ifo II lawmaker Fola Salami said the area suffered years of abandonment, describing the new road as evidence of democracy delivering real benefits. Ifo Local Government Chairman Lekan Kusimo said residents and businesses endured more than two decades of hardship due to the poor state of the roads.
Community leaders, including Alhaji Bashiru Akande and the Odofin of Isheri, Oba Sulaimon Bamgbade, also praised the governor for fulfilling his promise.
State Commissioner for Works, Ade Akinsanya, said the completed road will ease movement and revitalise business activities across the corridor. He urged residents to protect the new infrastructure by preventing waste disposal in drainage channels.
