Contractor Accelerates Construction of Gbaji-Apa-Owode After MHR Sesi Whingan's ₦6bn 2025 Budgetary Allocation - Photos

By Dansu Peter  Reconstruction of the long-dilapidated Gbaji-Apa-Owode Road has gained significant momentum following the successful interve...

By Dansu Peter 

Reconstruction of the long-dilapidated Gbaji-Apa-Owode Road has gained significant momentum following the successful intervention of Hon. Sesi Oluwaseun Whingan, Member of the House of Representatives for Badagry Federal Constituency. The contractor handling the federal road project has ramped up construction activities, thanks to the ₦6 billion budgetary allocation secured by the lawmaker in the 2025 national budget.  

Site inspections over the past week reveal a noticeable increase in manpower, heavy-duty machinery, and overall pace of work along the critical 30.6-kilometer stretch. The road, which connects Gbaji through Apa to Owode, serves as a vital link for trade and commerce between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin but has suffered years of neglect due to inadequate funding.  

According to project engineers, the newly secured funds have enabled a rapid scale-up of operations, allowing for more extensive excavation, grading, and drainage installations—key phases that had previously stalled due to financial constraints. Speaking on the development, a senior site supervisor expressed optimism that, with sustained funding and favorable weather conditions, the project could reach a significant milestone before the end of the year.  

Residents and traders who have endured years of hardship due to the road’s poor condition have expressed relief at the renewed pace of work. Many have credited Hon. Whingan for his relentless advocacy, noting that previous allocations—barely exceeding ₦200 million in any given year—had done little to advance the project.  

Hon. Whingan, who also serves as Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring the project’s full implementation. “This road is more than just infrastructure; it is the backbone of economic activities in Badagry and a key route for international trade. We fought hard to secure this ₦6 billion allocation, and I will continue to monitor the progress to ensure quality execution,” he stated.  

Stakeholders, including transport unions and community leaders, have also lauded the lawmaker’s efforts, calling on the Federal Ministry of Works and the contractor to maintain the new momentum and deliver a durable, well-constructed road.  

With funding now in place and construction work accelerating, hopes are high that the long-awaited rehabilitation of the Gbaji-Apa-Owode Road will soon become a reality, bringing lasting relief to thousands of commuters and boosting the region’s economic prospects.