One of the key factors that play a pivotal role in the socio-economic group of a given society is the presence of a reliable and efficient transportation system. This is due mainly to the fact that a well-developed transportation system provides, at any point in time, a dependable means of moving individuals, groups, and even goods from one location to another for social and economic reasons.
It is a wealth-creating industry and a critical component of the economy, without which the operations of other sectors like manufacturing might be in jeopardy, as it would be practically impossible to move goods produced in factories to their end users, the consumers. This is why experts believe that an inefficient transportation system could limit the ability of a nation to fully utilise its natural resources, distributors of food and other finished products, as well as its capacity to energise its manufacturing and agriculture sectors, among others.
Transportation, therefore, can be regarded as a key factor in the production of goods and services needed to satisfy human wants. However, as important as it is, it cannot occur in a vacuum; certain infrastructure must be put in place to make it efficient and functional. Such infrastructure includes the availability of vehicles, smooth and motorable Ogun set to convert mass transit buses to CNGroads , as well as other furniture that would make for safe driving. It could also be a rail line for the railway and a seaport for sea transportation.
It is apparently the realisation of the important role that the sector plays in socio-economic development and the desire to reposition it for meaningful contributions to his mission “building our future together” agenda that made the Prince ‘Dapo Abodun-led administration initiate initiatives and change the face of the transportation system in the state.
The most remarkable of some initiatives is the bold step to rehabilitate and reconstruct several kilometres of roads across the three senatorial districts in the state. The roads, most of which have been widened to six lanes, are provided with modern infrastructure like streetlights, medians, drainages, and pedestrian walkways, among others.
As part of measures to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, Ogun State has unveiled compressed natural gas (CNG) for mass transit buses. Governor ‘Dapo Abiodun said at the unveiling and public presentation of the 17 CNG-powered mass transit buses that the initiative, being the first of its kind in the country, is more efficient in terms of consumption, cleaner, and a more sustainable means of transportation, mitigating the effects of climate change.
Also worthy of note is the state Agro-Cargo Airport, which is located along the Iperu-Ilishan road in the Ikenne Local Government area of the state and was conceptualised as an aerotropolis based on its strategic location, being contiguous to the nation’s commercial capital of Lagos.
The governor said commercial flights would soon commence operations at the airport before the end of the year. He said the airport would have both local and international flights loading, meaning you can board a flight to Abuja, Port Harcourt, or international flights, leave, and land at this airport. Governor Abiodun added that the facility is of international standard and competes favourably with any around the world.
Apart from the Ministry of Transportation, the state-owned traffic compliance and enforcement corps (TRACE) is also improving on its track records on traffic management with the officers and men exposed to relevant capacity-building trainings. They have been involved in traffic control efforts that have greatly reduced bottlenecks and eased congestion, rescue operations at accident scenes on different roads, enlightenment campaigns on road safety, particularly during the “Ember Months,” as well as apprehending traffic offenders.
Infrastructure development is critical to achieving human capital development; the economic impact that it has on nation-building cannot be overemphasised. The growth of any country’s economy hugely depends on the status of its society, which places serious limitations on human capital development.
Social welfare and well-being are multi-dimensional development agendas of our administration: health, housing, security, water and electricity supply, transportation, and women’s empowerment. This administration has recorded tremendous achievements across Gateway State and the three senatorial districts of Ogun Central, Ogun East, and Ogun West in building our future together in the last five years of this administration.
Omotola, Deputy Director, Planning, Research, and Statistics, Ogun Ministry of Information and Strategy, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital.
