The Chief Executive Officer of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, Babatunde Adeyemo, has urged the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Adeola, to urgently intervene in the rehabilitation of the Masa bypass road in Ogun State to avert future traffic gridlock along the Kobape-Abeokuta corridor.
- +Ogun senator urged to fix Masa bypass
According to a statement, Adeyemo appealed to the lawmaker after a meeting between the management of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited and representatives of CCETC Ogua Energy Limited at the Pelican Ecostay Apartments, Kobape, where both parties discussed plans to deliver uninterrupted electricity to the estate and surrounding communities.
According to a statement, Adeyemo appealed to the lawmaker after a meeting between the management of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited and representatives of CCETC Ogua Energy Limited at the Pelican Ecostay Apartments, Kobape, where both parties discussed plans to deliver uninterrupted electricity to the estate and surrounding communities.
The Pelican boss commended Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, for infrastructural projects across the Ogun West Senatorial District and parts of Abeokuta but stressed that the Masa bypass required immediate attention due to its strategic importance.
“I want to use this opportunity to call on the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola. He has been doing wonderfully well; we have seen his impact on many roads. But he needs to come and look at the Masa bypass road,” Adeyemo said.
He described the road as a vital gateway into Abeokuta and warned that continued neglect could worsen congestion along the Siun-Kobape-Abeokuta Expressway, especially amid increasing industrial activities in the area.
“This is the only road that links directly into Abeokuta-Idi Aba-Aiyerose from the Kobape axis. We should not underestimate the importance of the Masa road in decongesting the Abeokuta metropolis. Industries are springing up on both sides of the road, and no amount of expansion on the main highway alone will solve the looming congestion,” he added.
Adeyemo noted that the Masa bypass serves a growing population, including factory workers and residents of over 300 villages, making it critical for economic and social activities in the corridor.
He added that the project would require minimal investment, as major foundational work had already been completed.
“This is a low-budget road. The stone base is there, and the drainage excavation is already done. What remains is the final surfacing and casting of drainages. The road is still very functional and passable but needs to be perfected,” he explained.
The real estate developer recalled that the last major government intervention in the area occurred during the administration of former Ogun State Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, particularly in the area of rural electrification.
“Baba Osoba gave us electrification, and we are building on that. Now, the road must match that progress. We believe Yayi, being a worthy successor of that legacy, will step in to complete what is needed,” Adeyemo said.
He also commended the administration of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for creating a conducive environment for real estate development, expressing optimism that the Gateway International Airport project would boost economic activities along the axis.
In his remarks, the Area Baale of Egbeda Oba in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area, High Chief Sunday Ifasesan Solola, said fixing the Masa road would ease the hardship faced by residents of about 300 villages.
“The poor situation of the road has been a long-time challenge for us in the community. Although when Chief Osoba became governor well over 31 years ago, he tried to do it. That was when the Oba road was constructed. But if we now see someone who can help us construct the road from Kobape to Egbeda to Ayerose, we will be happy. In fact, if Senator Yayi can come to our rescue, we will gladly welcome him,” Solola said.
“There are about 300 villages here, and you can imagine the number of people. In fact, there are lots of factory workers who now reside in various communities in this area. So, if Yayi constructs the road or even a part, we will be eternally grateful and give him our total support,” he added.
Also speaking, the Baale of Masa Village, Pa Sabiu Sotunde, lamented the poor condition of the road and appealed for urgent intervention.
“I would like to appeal to Senator Yayi to help us construct the road from Kobape to Egbeda to Idi-Aba. He should help us before the general election so that when the election comes, people already know the direction to follow. There are a lot of people living in the villages here, but the road needs serious intervention,” Sotunde said.
