The Chief Executive Officer of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, Ambassador (Dr) Babatunde Adeyemo, has made a passionate appeal to the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, seeking his urgent intervention on the Masa bypass road, a critical Abeokuta township link road in the Kobape corridor of Ogun State.
Adeyemo spoke shortly after a high-level meeting held Friday at the Pelican Ecostay Apartments, Kobape between the Management of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited and representatives of CCETC Ogua Energy Limited, a Chinese gas-powered electricity firm, regarding a proposal to deliver uninterrupted electricity to the estate and environs.
The Pelican boss commended Senator Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, for his visible infrastructural strides across Ogun West Senatorial District as well as within the Abeokuta metropolis and Laderin axis.
However, he stressed that the Masa bypass remains a strategic urban and rural route that demands immediate attention.
“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’ve seen his impact on many roads. But he needs to come and look at the Masa bypass road,” Adeyemo said.
Describing the road as a vital gateway into Abeokuta, Adeyemo warned that continued neglect could worsen traffic congestion on the Siun -Kobape-Abeokuta Expressway in the near future when he eventually fulfil his political ambition in the state.
According to him, the Masa bypass serves as a critical alternative route into the metropolis, especially as rapid industrial development intensifies along the Kobape–Abeokuta corridor.
“This is the only road that links directly into Abeokuta- Idi Aba- Aiyerose, from Kobape axis. We shouldn’t 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 also emphasised that the area boasts a significant voting population and growing economic value due to the residing factory workers and over 300 villages, making it deserving of urgent government attention.
He noted that the road project would require minimal investment, as much of the foundational work, such as heavy stone base and drainages excavations, has already been completed.
“This is a low-budget road. The stone base is there, the drainage excavation is already done. What remains is final surfacing and casting of drainages. The road is still very functional and passable, but needs to be perfected,” he explained.
He further drew historical parallels, recalling that residents of the Masa community last felt significant government presence during the administration of former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, particularly in terms of electrification.
With ongoing electrification efforts in the area, Adeyemo expressed hope that improving road infrastructure would complement development and unlock the full economic potential of the corridor.
“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,” he said.
Adeyemo concluded by commending the incumbent administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun for providing a conducive environment for real estate industry to thrive in the state, noting that the state’s economy would experience significant turnaround with the successful delivery of the Gateway International Airport along the axis.
Also speaking, the Area Baale of Egbeda Oba in Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of the state, High Chief Sunday Ifasesan Solola, declared that the construction of the Masa road would bring an end to the suffering of inhabitants of 300 villages in the area.
The community leader recalled that ex-governor Osoba carried out infrastructural intervention in the environs more than three decades ago by constructing the Oba road and installing rural electrification projects.
He said, “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.
“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.”
Similarly, the Baale of Masa Village, Pa Sabiu Sotunde, lamented the deteriorating condition of the road, saying it had become a nightmare for teeming residents and users of the road.
“I will 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” he said.
