The Ogun State House of Assembly (OGHA) has directed the State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) to immediately put an end to indiscriminate parking and traffic violations under the Kuto Flyover in Abeokuta, as part of efforts to restore sanity, improve traffic flow and enhance public safety around the busy Kuto Roundabout.
The directive was issued by the House Committee on Finance and Appropriations, chaired by Hon. Musefiu Lamidi, during the ongoing 2026 budget defence by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
While scrutinising the budget proposals of the Ministry of Transportation, the Committee expressed concern over the persistent gridlock under the Kuto Bridge, attributing the situation to wrong-way driving, indiscriminate parking, and the illegal loading and offloading of passengers by commercial vehicle operators.
Hon. Lamidi charged TRACE to intensify enforcement of traffic regulations in the area, stressing that failure to act decisively posed serious risks to motorists, pedestrians and the general public.
The Committee also tasked the Ministry of Transportation to ensure that the development of the Gateway International Airport aligns with Ogun State’s broader economic agenda. According to the lawmakers, the airport project must deliver tangible benefits in terms of investment attraction, improved connectivity and increased revenue generation for the state.
In his presentation, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Olugbenga Dairo, disclosed that beyond the existing partnership with ValueJet Airline, the state government was working towards establishing a state-owned airline. He further revealed that plans were underway to commence cargo flight operations and to establish an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility at the Gateway Airport from the next fiscal year.
Dairo assured the Committee that these initiatives were designed to position Ogun State as a major aviation and logistics hub in the country, while creating employment opportunities and boosting the state’s internally generated revenue.
Also appearing before the Committee to defend their 2026 budget proposals were heads of agencies under the Ministry of Transportation, including TRACE, led by its Acting Commander, Mr. Elias Omonayajo; the Gateway Airport, represented by Mr. Dapo Olumide; and the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), headed by Mr. Ademeyin Olugboyega.
In addition, several other MDAs presented their budget estimates to the Committee. These included the Ministry of Community Development and Cooperatives, led by its Commissioner, Mr. Ademola Balogun; the Ministry of Rural Development, headed by Mrs. Olufemi Ilori-Oduntan; the Ogun State House of Assembly, led by the Clerk and Head of Legislative Service, Mr. Sakiru Adebakin; and the Assembly Service Commission, chaired by Rt. Hon. Suraj Adekunbi.
Others were the Auditor-General for the State, Mr. Akorede Lateef Balogun, and the Auditor-General for Local Governments, who also appeared before the Committee.
The House Committee reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the 2026 budget reflects fiscal discipline, accountability and projects that directly improve the welfare and economic prosperity of the people of Ogun State.
