Gbaji-Owode-Apa Road: I will reconstruct it — Hamzat affirms FG awarded contract, but funds not yet released

Dr. Obafemi Kadri Hamzat, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State and the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, has vowed to reconstruct the persistently problematic Gbaji-Owode-Apa Road, without waiting for the Federal Government to disburse the already allocated funds for the project.

Hamzat made this commitment during a visit to the Palace of the Alapa of Apa, His Royal Majesty Oba Oyekan Adekanmi Ilufemiloye Ajose Posi III, as part of his campaign activities in Badagry on Thursday morning. He expressed dissatisfaction with the road’s current condition during his travels in the area, noting that while the Federal Government had awarded the contract, the funds for it had not yet been released.

“I see that the road is in poor condition and I’ve been made aware of this. I know the contract is awarded, but the funds are not available yet. We will not wait for that. They can use the money for another project— we will reconstruct the road once we come into power in 2027,” Hamzat stated.

This announcement aligns with the ongoing efforts of Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, the representative for Badagry Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, who has been pushing for the road’s reconstruction. Whingan has consistently mentioned that the contract is awarded and that his initiatives in the National Assembly secured N6 billion in the 2025 budget for the project; however, the funds are still unavailable for the contractor.

Whingan reiterated his commitment to continue lobbying for the release of the necessary funds so that the contractor can initiate tangible work on the road.

While addressing APC members and supporters in Badagry, Hamzat also emphasized the importance of increased voter turnout leading up to the 2027 general elections. He urged party members to engage residents in supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his own gubernatorial campaign, his running mate, Princess Damilola Sonayon James, and other APC candidates.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow The Lagos Voice on WhatsApp channel for latest updates

He highlighted that Badagry would benefit from the Lagos APC governorship ticket, especially with Princess Damilola Sonayon James, a local from Badagry West LCDA, as his running mate. Hamzat stressed the necessity of greater voter participation to effectively convert political support into electoral success, acknowledging that voter turnout in past elections has been low.

He portrayed President Tinubu as a politically influential figure from Lagos and called on APC members to strengthen their support for both the President and all APC candidates in the upcoming elections.

Hamzat was joined on his visit by Princess Damilola Sonayon James, campaign director Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Lagos APC Chairman Senator Ganiu Solomon, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, and several Governance Advisory Council members.

Political leaders from Badagry who welcomed the APC candidate included the three local council chairmen: Babatunde Hunpe (Badagry Local Government), Ajose Peter Kumayon (Olorunda LCDA), and Rauf Ibrahim Kayode Yemaren (Badagry West LCDA).

Also present were Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, Hon. Olusegun Onilude Adeniran (APC candidate for Badagry Federal Constituency), Hon. Olatunde Oladunjoye Yusuf (APC candidate for Badagry Constituency II), Hon. Gbenu Henugbe Joseph (APC candidate for Badagry Constituency I), and Hon. Bonu Solomon Saanu (incumbent member for Badagry Constituency I in the Lagos State Assembly).

The Gbaji-Owode-Apa Road is a crucial transportation link connecting various communities in Badagry, and its deteriorating state continues to raise concerns among local residents and users.