As Ogun State celebrates its 50th anniversary, the Ministry of Transportation in the State has also measured up to a golden infrastructural landmark achievement in the epic history of Ogun State.
The Ministry of Transportation, which is 6 years into being established as a full-fledged Ministry by His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has presently achieved remarkable successes under the leadership of the Hon. Commissioner Engr. Olugbenga Dairo FNSE FNICE, a transport expert with over 30 years of experience, who has committedly and passionately actionated the State's Strategic Transportation Master Plan into visible global achievements, shifting Ogun's transport system from land to The Sky, and even higher at its Golden age.
The transportation system in Ogun State has transited from what it used to be in the early years when exporting cocoa, palm produce, kola nuts, and fruits were the main focus of transportation through the use of wooden canoes, lorries, and, of course, walking for movement purposes.
It has, therefore, over the years, mirrored Nigeria's developmental processes in terms of infrastructure, economic and social developmental policies, which has brought about the expansion and reconstruction of roads, railway lines, motor vehicles like Volkswagen, and the use of bicycles replacing the much older modes of movement of people and goods, and to the present time of a modernized transportation system aligning to the present modern o'clock.
The mandate of the Ministry of Transportation upon creation in 2020 was to assist the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun in achieving his ISEYA Mantra Agenda, as the administration is mindful of the economic development, continuous industrialisation in Ogun State, ensuring that Ogun State remains a destination of choice for investors.
The transportation system in Ogun State at its Golden Jubilee age has recorded visible and functional successes reckoning the transitioning processes from dominance by private 'informal' transport operators, Gateway Transit Limited (GTL) by the Federal Government , which was adopted into Gateway Mass Transit , Bureau of Transport, to the present structured full fleshed Ministry of Transportation.
So far , the Ministry of Transportation under the the successful administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun has no doubt changed the era of transportatuon into a Multi Modal Transportation System, these are testimonials to his achievements so far.
- Conversion of the State's Seventeen Ashok Leyland Luxurious Buses from diesel engine to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) enabled
- Commissioning, disbursement, and Operations of CNG Buses (E-Mobility 1) in Abeokuta, Mowe-Ibafo Corridors with movement coverage of over Millions of Passengers, since commencement on the 14th of December, 2023, providing more affordable, cleaner, safer and environmental friendly road transport solution for increased better quality of life for commuters and all residents of Ogun State.
- Commissioning of the 2nd Phase of Ogun E-Mobility, the launch of E-Bikes (D.A. Bikes) on 31st of July , 2024, with minimum of over five hundred commercial e- bikes operations in Abeokuta, yielding cost relief of N4, 750 worth of petrol fueling for a 65km e-bike ride distance, which only requires One Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Naira to energies batteries., provision of job opportunities, eco- friendly, easy on maintenance, boost health and fun to ride, compared to the old petrol engine powered bikes with exhaust outlet, noisy, sockets and chains, causing hazard to health, stressful and difficult to maintain.
- Successful Training Sessions for auto-mechanists on conversion of vehicles from petrol/diesel enabled to CNG Powered
- Ground Breaking Ceremony of the 600 hectares of land for Gateway Inland Dry Port, Papalanto on the 11th of October , 2024 , with compensation already paid to affected communities and the recent inauguration of the project committee by the Hon. Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola CON, to expedite the project commencement
- Construction of Ijebu Epe Toll Gate
- On-Street Parking Management System
- Coordination and regularising the activities of all registered and approved transport unions in Ogun State for the promotion of peaceful co-existence in the informal transport sector
- Flag off and handing over of safety life jackets to Ogun's Marine and coastal communities, instilling no life jackets no entry in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy
- Handing over of 130 hectares project site by the State Government for construction of Inland Dry Port Terminal at Ijebu-Ode
- Traffic signage installation and management services
- Construction of the world-class Gateway International Airport, its Certification by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Services (NCAA), Commencement and Operational two days per week Commercial Flights in a 65 Passenger air craft capacity with service records of thousands of Passengers on departure and arrival across Abeokuta, Lagos and Abuja.
- Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE)
- Vehicle Inspection Services (VIS)
As far as the Ministry of Transportation is concerned, there are still more projects in the pipeline aimed at enhancing connectivities, boosting economic activities, and improving the overall transportation network in the State, such as two railway stations along the Lagos-Ibadan railway corridor, one at Ijoko and another at Kajola.
There is a plan to extend the Lagos Blue Line from marina to Ijora, to Okokomaiko providing seamless transportation options for commuters from that corridor to Ijoko. Another plan is the establishment of multi-dimensional modern bus terminals in Abeokuta, consolidating the various parks and garages, reducing congestion, and improving transportation services for passengers.
Furthering the stabilized operational Gateway International Airport (GIA) is the need for various bits of infrastructure that will be implemented before the end of this Administration, like the construction of new roads to create access to various land uses, engagements of potential partnerships for facilities maintenance, and attracting various passenger and cargo services which, in the first instance, inspired the development of the Airport.
On the Olokola Deep Sea Port, engagements with Partnership are at top gear, as the Government plans to execute its roles to complement the development in terms of access roads, access rails, infrastructure power supply, drainage facilities, and environmental management to ensure its success.
These and more are captured in the 2026 Budget of the State, as the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun CON is committed to completing ongoing projects and initiating new ones to further boost economic growth and improve the quality of life for residents and the good people of Ogun State.
Happy 50th State Anniversary to all citizens and residents of the Gateway State.
Source: Abdulsalam A. Bukky
IPRO Ogun State Ministry of Transportation
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