The Ogun State Government has restated its commitment to rehabilitating major roads in the Ota axis, insisting that work will soon begin on critical routes long overdue for intervention.
The pledge was renewed during a meeting in Abeokuta with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ota Branch, whose leaders met with the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN).
Ogungbade said the state had already awarded six major roads, Joju, Koro Otun, Navy, Isikola, Ilo Awela and Oju Ore, to Craneburg Construction, adding that the contractor would mobilise to site shortly.
He noted that additional projects in the corridor had been broken into four segments, including the Itele–Ayobo link to Lagos, the Ayobo Mopol–Lafenwa boundary road, the Koro Otun phase and the Itele–Lafenwa axis. He disclosed that the first two phases were ready for immediate commencement.
The Attorney-General acknowledged the grievances that informed the NBA’s peaceful protest of 25 October 2025 and assured the delegation that their concerns would be addressed decisively.
He urged the lawyers to take advantage of their access to government channels, pointing out that Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration had delivered more than 1,500 kilometres of roads statewide, many of which are in Ota.
Members of the government’s delegation, including Solicitor-General Olusegun Olaotan; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Engr. Oladimeji Yusuf; and the Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, explained that several roads under public criticism were federal roads.
They said these routes suffered prolonged neglect because the Federal Government had, for years, prevented the state from intervening, until President Bola Tinubu granted approval for rehabilitation now underway.
Hon. Akinmade praised the NBA for its constructive engagement but cautioned that political actors were attempting to exploit residents’ concerns for opportunistic ends.
He noted that some individuals had been mobilised to highlight failed roads and attack the government despite many of the affected routes falling under federal oversight.
Earlier, NBA Ota Branch Chairperson, Chief Mrs. Kelubia K. Ajose, and senior advocate Mr. Sola Ojutalayo (SAN) said the protest reflected deep frustrations among residents.
They emphasised that the Bar had taken steps to prevent external forces from hijacking its demonstration and raised concerns about activities that worsen road decay in the area.
The government reaffirmed its readiness to sustain dialogue with stakeholders and disclosed that eleven new road contracts were approved in November 2025.
It assured residents that while some inconvenience may continue, a comprehensive overhaul of Ota’s road network is already in motion.