Why Ogun, Other State Governments Must Fix Roads For Easier Airport Access
Ogun State and other state governments that are building additional airports in Nigeria but lack good road networks have been advised to invest such funds in developing good road networks and fixing dilapidated roads rather than invest in new airports.
“Investing in new airport projects while neglecting essential infrastructure like roads is counterproductive. Improved road networks facilitate easier access to airports, making air travel a more attractive option for our populace,” said Dr. Thomas Ogungbangbe, Chief Executive Officer, CITA Aviation Fuelling Company in his remarks as Chairman at the 28th edition of the Annual Conference of the League of Airport & Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) held at Providence Hotel Ikeja, Lagos on July 26, 2024.
He emphasized the need to “create integrated transportation plans that connect airports with other modes of transport, such as rail and road networks, facilitating easier access to airports and enhancing overall travel convenience.”
We are using Ogun State as a case study. The state, which is located very close to Lagos State that already has an international airport, recently had execution of an airport project, gulping huge funds whereas most of its roads are dilapidated.
The condition of roads in the state has been a prominent public concern and the terrible state of most roads in the state is audible to the deaf and visible to the blind. For instance, those living at Itele or Lafenwa in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area find it difficult to invite relatives that own vehicles in other parts of the state to visit them because this would amount to asking for destruction of such vehicles. The road linking Ayobo in Lagos to Aiyetoro and Ayobo to Lafenwa are so deplorable that travelling through the road on a commercial vehicle or a motorcycle without undergoing medical treatment at the end of such journey is a miracle.
Governor Dapo Abiodun should please make an attempt on this journey to confirm that this is not an exaggeration. Pregnant women are always advised not to make such journeys of bumpy ride on gallopy and dilapidated roads to avoid miscarriages. The Governor should please visit Mopol Junction immediately after a downpour to see things for himself. .Each time it rains, going though these border roads to or fro is just a nightmare.
The politics of federal and state governments concerning road construction is not the business of the suffering commuters of Ogun State. Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration is according to him, doing something about the bad state of Ogun State roads but it needs to do more.
