After more than two decades of harrowing experience by commuters and drivers along the Ikorodu-Sagamu axis of Lagos and Ogun States, the Mohammadu Buhari led Federal Government brought smiles to the faces of these road users when, on Monday, May 21, 2018, Works Minister, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, flagged off full 
construction of this road by the Central Government at a cost of N20billion.
Following fifteen (15) years of intense pressure and lobbying, the Federal government eventually captured this strategic road project in its 2018 nine trillion naira budget and initially scheduled the flag off for April 1, 2018 before hitches delayed it.
Our readers will agree that this newspaper, Oriwu Sun, had written several news, editorial and opinions on this road and joined voices with politicians, professional groups and other lobbyists to see that the road construction come true, all to no avail.
When Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa joined the National Assembly and shout her voice and head off for twelve (12) years about this road, no one seemed to listen. Only palliative work was approved.
She handed over the petition baton to Hon. Jimi Benson, who did his best for nearly three years until the Buhari Administration gave a listening ear.
Ex-Governor of Lagos State and incumbent Works Minister, Babatunde Fashola, gladdened hearts when he and his officials, including officers of Arab Contractors, stormed Ikorodu on Monday, May 21, to kick start this project.
What will you expect on a day like this? Of course, the politicians stole the show. Canopies, dance groups, uniforms, Tee shirts or vests, caps, posters and banners, slogans and praise songs, filled the air and the arena.
Similarly, Arab Contractors, the firm to handle the project, displayed arrays of their construction equipment along the road between Oriwu Club and Sawmill at the Ikorodu end of Sagamu road.
Every one partook in the frustrations and disappointment of April 1, when suddenly, all the Arab Contractors’ equipment and sign posts for the work were withdrawn because of alleged non settlement of Ogun State Government expenditure on this same road, which the Governor Ibikunle Amosun led government had started work on since late last year.
At the historic May 21 event, the Works Minister told the residents of this axis (Ikorodu-Sagamu) to be grateful to President Buhari and the APC Federal Government for his magnanimity in approving this road project, urging them to reciprocate this kind gesture by obtaining their Permanent Voter’s Cards so as to vote for the APC again in the 2019 elections.
Fashola assured the people of the commitment of the Federal Government to ensure the completion of this project within the three years specified in the contract.
He described this road as strategic and beneficial to Nigerians, especially those in Lagos and Ogun State adding that when completed the road will reduce their time, wear and tear on vehicles and enhance the value of economic and industrial businesses along this axis. It will also add value to properties and create jobs for people during and after the construction, and of course, ease the sufferings of commuters plying the road.
He reminded the people of the sacrifice they have to make when the work is going on, saying there would surely be inconveniences and pains but they should expect to have at the end, a road they would be proud of.
He noted that the Federal Government is emphasizing more on agriculture as well as industrial and infrastructural development across the nation; hence, this road will help promote this development including movement of agricultural and industrial products.
He allayed the fears of some people about Arab Contractors, saying that was the same company that constructed the beautiful Ibeshe road and Ota-Ona roads in Ikorodu during his regime as Governor of Lagos State; hence, there is no doubt that they will produce a satisfactory job on Ikorodu-Sagamu road.
According to him, the contractors would first stabilize the road and create alternative routes where necessary to avoid total inconvenience to the people. He urged all the stakeholders to give the contractors all the support they need to facilitate and speed up the work.
Later, the Minister hopped inside his car to avoid area boys and to evade politicians waiting to corner him. His convoy drove to Ikorodu Garage Round about, where he unveiled the plaque for the road project.
Trust the politicians, they enjoyed themselves with dance, music and other displays of colours, party slogans, anthems and images to express their joy. They saw this day as a dream come true.
Fashola and the parable of the chicken
It seemed as if President Buhari and his Works Minister, Fashola, chose the same time to speak to their political opponents and critics in parables.
While President Buhari mockingly in Abuja referred to a former Head of State, who boasted about spending $16billion on power (electricity) sector without anything to show for it, Minister Fashola spoke in Ikorodu on the parable of a chicken killed and prepared by a few but savoured by many in a family amidst noise and claims.
While Buhari was obviously referring to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Fashola told the story that he witnessed as a child how many people would kill a chicken, boil hot water, clean it up, dissect it and it would be cooked for a family meal.
When the meal is ready, some people would come and lay claim to be part of the service rendered.
While some suspected he was referring to Governor Ambode, others were at a loss. Fashola had alleged that many felt that the projects being celebrated today in Lagos State are projects he (Fashola) initiated and executed midway, but it seems that others are taking the glory.
Some observers at the flag off ceremony, where this allusion and parable were spoken, argued that Ambode could not have been the one being referred to because the big projects being applauded today in the State, such as the Ajah Bridge, the 21 roads in Alimosho, the International Airport road to Oshodi, Ojodu Berger bridge complex, Abule Egba bridge, Pen Cinema, Agege, etc., were initiated by Ambode and completed by him.
Still, other analysts of this parable noted that every government leaves some unfinished projects to be completed by their successors. Thus, Fashola inherited some unfinished businesses from Tinubu while Ambode inherited such unfinished projects as the light rail, the Eko Atlantic City Project and others from Fashola’s government.
Oba Shotobi appreciates Buhari
The Ayangbure of Ikorodu, His Majesty, Oba Kabir Shotobi, who was attending an urgent State assignment on that day, delegated Otunba Ayodele Elesho to represent him at the flag off ceremony.
Oba Shotobi lauded President Buhari and Works Minister, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, for doing what the PDP government and the military governments before them could not do for Ogun and Lagos States people.
In his words, “I want to appreciate the Buhari administration for awarding this road contract and doing what the PDP led Federal Government could not do in their sixteen (16) years in power.
Oba Shotobi canvassed votes for Buhari from the people to enable his government to complete the project. He urged everyone to vote for the President in the 2019 election so that the APC can do more for the people.
Oba Shotobi noted that this road, when completed, would boost economic activities in this part of the country.
A resident of Odogunyan, who always makes phone calls during radio programmes to canvass for development project in his area, Mr. Alabi Peters, praised the Federal, and State Governments for this intervention. He toed the line of Oba Shotobi by urging Lagosians and Ogun State residents to go out enmasse and get their PVC so that they can vote for the APC in the 2019 elections to ensure the completion of this road.
A Arab Contractors Managing Director, Mr. Wael Salem, assured the public that they would do a quality job and complete the project on schedule. He also promised job opportunities to the locals, especially the skilled and unskilled workers.
The ceremony was rounded off at Ikorodu Round-About, where the symbolic unveiling of the contract/project plaque was performed by Mr. Fashola.
Fashola appoints Asiwaju Bashorun as point man to oversee local suppliers, sub-contractors with Arab contractors
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has appointed Asiwaju Basorun Olorunfunmi to handle and coordinate the locals, youths and small suppliers as well as contractors, who will be needed by Arab Contractors, the main contractor handling the Ikorodu – Sagamu road project.
Mr. Fashola announced this at the flag off ceremony held on May 21, 2018, saying that Asiwaju Basorun would assist Arab Contractors to provide jobs to the locals for the road project.
The Works Minister directed all suppliers such as sand, water, etc. to contact Asiwaju Basorun for approvals and direction to Arab contractors.
He warned that this is not a party or political patronage affair, but something that must benefit any Nigerian so qualified. Therefore, there should be no discrimination or favoritism in the choice of those to be given jobs or little contracts.
The Minister also warned that no one should come to Abuja to solicit for jobs or such contracts since everything concerning this road project has been decentralized.
Observers believe that Mr. Fashola made a right choice for choosing a man of integrity like Asiwaju Basorun to handle this assignment. This means that all roads will now lead to Igbogbo’s residence/office of this strong man of Lagos politics as people go to seek for jobs and supplies.
What Jimi Benson, Ashafa, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said at the flag off
The woman, who started the campaign for the construction of this road at the National Assembly, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, was at the flag off.
The pretty and brilliant journalist turned politician, who was at the House of Representatives on behalf of Ikorodu for twelve (12) years, drew people to the memory lane, recalling all the noise, the unsuccessful lobbies as well as the petitions made to the previous administrations on this important road.
She said she was a very happy person to be alive and present to witness the historic flag off.
Like many others who spoke, she urged all beneficiaries of this road to endeavour to vote for APC and Buhari in the 2019 elections for continuity. She also urged the contractors to do a very good job the nation would be proud off.
She said she is proud to be working with President Buhari after twelve (12) years in the green house of the National Assembly and that she is glad serving the Federal Government under APC.
Senator Gbenga Ashafa representing Lagos East Senatorial District in the Senate, commended President Buhari for fulfilling his promises on this road and urged the residents and road users to cooperate with the contractors to make the job successful.
He said the effect of this road, on completion, would be immeasurable adding that it will bring about rapid and beautiful development to this axis.
The Senator assured the people that their cooperation will bring a speedy completion of the road despite the discomforts they may encounter. He also said the contract would generate thousands of jobs for the youths.
He reminded the road users that there would be times the road would be closed because of heavy truck turning or certain jobs being carried out or routes diversion. Thus, he and pleaded with all to show understanding at such times.
In his own speech, the incumbent man at the House of Representatives for Ikorodu division, Hon. Jimi Benson, who took over the campaign from Abike Dabiri-Erewa for this road, expressed his utmost joy at the eventual award of this contract and its take off.
He spoke of the many motions, contacts, petitions, pleas and lobbying done in the National Assembly and the seat of government for this road deal to sail through and the combined roles of other players to bring about this success.
Obviously, history will not forget Dabiri, Ashafa and Benson for their roles in the National Assembly to press for this road rehabilitation.