Olooye Adegboyega Adegoke, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Oyo State, has proposed the construction of a rail line from Moniya to Saki to facilitate the movement of agricultural produce.
The proposed project is intended to connect the Oke-Ogun region to Ibadan and other parts of the South-West geopolitical zone, aiming to alleviate the logistical challenges currently faced by local farmers.
Adegoke made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that the rail infrastructure would serve as a primary driver for boosting the state’s agricultural productivity and economic growth.
Optimising agricultural logistics in Oyo State
The Oke-Ogun region is a critical component of Oyo State’s economy, serving as a major hub for the production of staple crops including cassava, maize, yam, and various vegetables. Despite its high output, the region’s farmers often struggle with the high cost of transporting goods to major urban markets.
According to Adegoke’s proposal during a recent engagement, the Moniya-to-Saki rail link would provide a more efficient alternative to the current reliance on road transport. By connecting the agricultural heartland of Saki to the Moniya rail node—which is a key point on the standard gauge rail line connecting Ibadan to Lagos—the project intends to integrate local produce into regional and national supply chains more effectively.
Currently, much of the produce from Oke-Ogun is moved via heavy-duty trucks on road networks that are often prone to congestion and deterioration. This reliance on road logistics contributes significantly to post-harvest losses, as perishable items often suffer damage or delays during transit. A dedicated rail service would likely reduce these losses and lower the overall cost of food items in markets across Ibadan and the South-West.
The proposal also addresses the need for industrialisation in the northern parts of the state. By improving access to markets, the rail line could encourage the establishment of processing plants near the source of production, creating jobs and increasing the value of raw agricultural commodities.
While the project represents a major infrastructural undertaking, the ADC candidate has positioned it as a central pillar of his economic agenda for the state. The implementation of such a project would require significant coordination between state and federal authorities, particularly given the involvement of the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
The announcement comes as various political actors in Oyo State intensify their campaign efforts ahead of the upcoming elections.
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