The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of rehabilitation and expansion work on Section One of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, directing contractors to complete the project by the end of January.
Speaking during an inspection of the 12-kilometre stretch between Sagamu Interchange and Iperu Junction in Ogun State,
Umahi said the contractor had already exceeded expectations despite receiving only part of the contract sum.
“I am very satisfied with the quality of work and the speed of work,” the minister said. “We paid only 30 per cent of the contract amount, but I can assure you they have done over 50 per cent of the job.”
The section, built with rigid pavement, includes five pedestrian bridges, four ramps and three underpasses.
Umahi instructed the contractor to complete protective shoulder works with laterite, even if not originally captured in the bill of quantities.
“Whether it is in the bill or not, we are not paying for it. It is called protective work,” he said. “There must be a minimum of 1.5 metres to protect the pavement. If you don’t, water will get into it and it will break.”
He also ordered immediate construction of drainage systems and the installation of solar streetlights. “By the end of this month, we should have everything about this 24km road fully completed,” Umahi added.
The minister also inspected the 48-kilometre Benin–Ofosu–Ore–Sagamu dual carriageway, which runs from Iperu Junction to Ajebandele, linking Ogun State to Ondo and the eastern part of the country.
Umahi said parts of the Ore–Benin Road were in good condition but raised concerns about sections being handled under a concession arrangement.
“From Benin to Summit Junction in Asaba is being done by a concessionaire, African Plus. By next week, I am going to evaluate that job to see whether the concession is working,” he said. “If it is not, we will take a decision because the road was totally impassable in December.”
He said the Federal Government was determined to ensure that the entire Sagamu–Asaba corridor was motorable.
“The 11-kilometre stretch from Summit Junction to the Head Bridge in Asaba is being reconstructed by Heartland,” he noted.
Umahi praised the contractor handling the Benin–Ofosu–Ore–Sagamu project for the quality of work. “I have examined the concrete mixture and the reconstruction method.
It was excellently done,” he said, though he directed that the existing median be removed and replaced with a better one.
