Gov Dapo Abiodun commissions Arepo-Journalist Estate Road

By Zion Rufus

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has commissioned the new Arepo Road in Arepo, Obafemi Owode local government, Ogun State.

The Commissioning which was held today 14th November, 2022 held at the entrance gate of the community witnessed the presence of distinguished personalities, top government functionaries, and notable Yoruba Monarchs including the Akarigbo of Remoland, Alake of Egbaland, Awujale of Ijebu land, Oba of Isheri, Olu of Ila, and many more.

Speaking at the commissioning, Olu of Arepo, King Solomon Atanda expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Ogun State Governor for the “thoughtful” reconstruction of the Arepo Road.
According to the monarch, many had doubted the possibility of the massive development which has now improved business activities in the area and created job opportunities.

For years, the Arepo road had been in a deplorable state after past governments had reneged on their decades-old promises to fix the road. The intervention of the current administration led by Prince Dapo Abiodun realised the construction of a dualised 2.35km road complimented with proper drainage system, and streetlights in the satellite town.

The newly commissioned road which was constructed in compliance with best global practices is also furnished with concrete lined drains and culverts, and rigid interlocking pavement.

In his remarks, Barrister Jide Oke, Chairman, Journalists Estate Residents Development Association (JERDA) Phase 1 said: “The socio economic value of this high quality road is unquantifiable because Arepo has become a high quality mega city with increased commercial activities on account of this road network. The Journalist Estate Road is a testimony to the can-do spirit of the Dapo Abiodun administration in Ogun state. He came to Arepo and promised that the road shall be delivered within a year and much to the surprise of the cynics and the doubting Thomases he delivered within record time. This is unprecedented and all journalists living
in Arepo and the residents hereby convey our appreciation to the performing Governor of Ogun state, HE Prince Dapo Abiodun for this gift of a world standard quality dual carriage 2.3km highway completed with paving stones.”

On his part, Ganiyu kazeem, Arepo Area CDC chairman shared: “We have in the past tried to pave the road by ourselves, but it was very tough. Many residents moved out from Arepo because there were no good roads, this made the value of property go down then. Before now, arepo residents didn’t believe in the government because of the disappointment we got from a past governor who promised to reconstruct the road. He only erected a signboard for his 8 years in office and he didn’t do anything. This is why I want
to thank Governor Dapo Abiodun for keeping his promise on the road.”

According to Funke Fadugba, Former Chairman, NUJ, Lagos State Council, the newly reconstructed Journalists estate road, Arepo, by Prince Dapo Abiodun is indeed a promise kept.

She said: “The road which hitherto was a pain in the neck for Arepo residents and the journalists, many of whom reside in the community, is world class. The governor has lived up to expectations of the people as a promise keeper. He is a leader we can trust, unlike our predecessor who for a good eight years deceived us with a promise to fix the road but reneged. Governor Abiodun has further confirmed the fact that he is a Governor for example. With the road, Arepo has become the Little London of Nigeria. Like Fleet Street in London, accommodating a large concentration of media houses, Arepo Community warehouses more media houses and media practitioners than any community in Nigeria. We are happy and grateful Mr Governor has given the residents a great facelift. The second term tenure of Mr Governor is a done deal especially in view of all his giant steps in infrastructural renewal and the industrial revolution that has won him the prestigious National Award. The socio economic value of the road is unimaginably great as it has added value to the properties and investments as well as businesses in Arepo and its environs. Now that the community has become a highly developed rural-urban, there is a general fresh air of relief and comfort for the residents.”