Posted by On Tuesday, Nigeria’s Minister of Works David Umahi authorized night building to hasten the nation’s roadway projects. While touring construction sites in Lagos and Ogun, Mr. Umahi made these remarks.
During his trip, he announced that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway’s rehabilitation and renovation were 98% complete and scheduled for an opening in the middle of September.
While he was trying to get the Ogun government to help pay compensations for Right of Way recovery, the minister added that other ancillary works, like as interchanges and underpasses, will continue on the project.
Former Gbenga Daniel accompanied him while he inspected Mile 2 of the Lagos-Ibadan highway.
All federal highways in the six geopolitical zones would be concessioned and tolled, according to Mr. Umahi’s announcement.
Mr Umahi suggested adding a cement mixture to the macadam used by the contractor Raynolds Construction Company (RCC) working on phase two of the Lagos-Ibadan project.
The minister elaborated on how cement may extend the lifespan of the highway to 100 years with only 50 years of maintenance.
Mr. Daniel has praised the federal government for the project’s success, adding that the people of Ogun had suffered through traffic jams and unsafe conditions during construction.
“On behalf of our people, thank you for this quick visit,” Mr. Daniel added.
Mr. Umahi, while reviewing the Lagoon part of the Eko Bridge, gave the go-ahead for night construction and told the engineers to implement it. He explained that closing key parts of the road that needed lifting for repairs at midnight was necessary because excellent construction ethics requires minimal pain to road users.
The minister continued by saying that the speed of project completion would increase if construction occurred at night under his supervision.
Mr. Umahi said that it was more economical to invest in routine maintenance of the bridges to prevent their collapse than to rebuild any bridge, which he estimated would cost trillions of naira.
Mr. Umahi has informed the various contractors that they will be paid in full and on time for their services.
He was pleased with the results and gave Buildwell Plants and Industries Ltd high marks for their efforts on the Eko bridge’s Apongbon, Ijora Olopa, Lagoon, and Costain segments.
“We are happy with the designs and assure that the bridge will be completed by the end of November,” the minister stated.
Mr. Umahi committed to lobby President Bola Tinubu for the speedy repair of Lagos’s bridges.
Mr. Umahi commended Dangote on the quality of the work and the use of concrete while inspecting the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki highway.
The minister has announced that the Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki expressway is now 99 percent complete.
He praised Dangote’s work on the Apapa-Wharf road’s hard pavement, saying that any future projects he oversaw must be completed with concrete.
The minister was not pleased to see trash piles along the route from the ports’ Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonsoki exit. Mr. Umahi stated that he will consult with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu over the matter.
He instructed his engineers to lobby the bridges’ users into keeping the open areas clean and well-maintained.
The minister began his inspection tour at the outer Marina Road and transverse roads, then visited the Liverpool Bridge area to speak with merchants, and finally ended his journey at Dangote Refinery Road in the Lekki Free Trade Zone.