The Renewed Hope Administration’s goal of making sure that the entire country’s road network satisfies respectable international standards has been restated by President His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. He made this statement during the weekend in Ogun State at the flag-off ceremony for the Phase II, Section I (Lagos-Sagamu) of the Lagos-Ibadan Dual Carriageway Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Expansion.
The President, who was represented at the event by Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, the governor of Ogun State, stated that Nigeria will be wealthy because its roads are beginning to improve. Prioritizing road infrastructure and bringing it up to acceptable standards, he maintained, would not only result in positive development but also elevate the nation’s standing in the international community. According to his theory, infrastructure is much more than just roads and bridges; it also promotes economic activity and facilitates easy connections between people. He asserts that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is an essential conduit that connects the country’s northern region to the southern seventeen (17) regions, not merely another road.
His Excellency expressed optimism that accidents and fatalities on the alignment will be minimized with the new design and the provision of modern, safe infrastructure that meets internationally acceptable standards, while urging the Contractor, Messrs CNC (Nig.) Limited, to adhere to the approved design and delivery date. Flyovers for connectivity and pedestrian bridges for road user safety are part of the project’s scope of work, which will be built with continuous reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) technology.
He expressed gratitude to the President, the Minister, and all those involved in the historic occasion in his capacity as Governor of Ogun State. He also mentioned that drivers using the route will soon be able to breathe easier.
The Works Minister, His Excellency, Engr. (Sen.) David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, had earlier in his remarks emphasized a few findings from his survey of several project locations in the South-West. He praised Julius Berger’s excellent work on Section I of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway but voiced concerns about the caliber of work done by Messrs. RCC (Nig.) Limited on Section II, where roughly 20% of the work has already failed. As a remedy for this contractor fraud, the Minister directed the Permanent Secretary to form a Task Force to guarantee that, moving forward, no mobilization fees will be paid without a legitimate report on mobilization and work on the project site for a minimum of two weeks. In order to avoid destabilizing or destroying the road’s CBR, he also reaffirmed that contractors should only mill and overlay existing stable asphalts. He maintains that doing so will save money, shorten project delivery times, and drastically lower construction costs.
He encouraged other contractors to follow in the footsteps of Messrs CBC (Nig.) Limited, praising them as one of the best with the necessary equipment and experience to compete successfully with Hitech and CGC.
The Federal Controllers of Works for Lagos and Ogun States, Engineers Kesha Olukorede and Forasola Oloyede, respectively, welcomed the guests and informed them of the project’s scope in their states. The completion of Phase I of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the start of Phase II were emphasized. There are roughly 80 kilometers of roads in Oyo State, 70 kilometers in Ogun State, and 70 kilometers in Lagos State. According to Engr. Oloyede, who spoke from the Ogun side, the project entails rebuilding the Shagamu-Iperu-Ore portion of the road, building an interchange at Lotto Junction, constructing the Kara, Magboro, Arepo, and Warewa underpasses, constructing two (2) flyovers at MFM and Makun Industrial City, and constructing five (5) pedestrian bridges.
Among others, His Royal Majesty Oba (Dr.) Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Hon. Akin Alabi, the Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Hon. Akinsanya, the Commissioner for Works in Ogun State, and Hon. Moremi Ojodu, the SSA-P. on Community Engagement, all delivered numerous messages of goodwill. They praised the Honorable Minister and Mr. President for saving them. In order to reduce accidents and fatalities, the Oba was particular about his people’s request that speed breakers be installed.
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