JULY 19, 2013
Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
Exactly two weeks after President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the two contractors appointed to do the job, Messrs Julius Berger Plc and Reynolds Construction Company Limited, have yet to commence work.
The indication came just as the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry called for further expansion of the 127-kilometre road to five lanes on both sides from Lagos to Ibadan in anticipation of future needs.
Julius Berger is to handle the section from Lagos to the Sagamu Interchange, while RCC will work on the stretch from the interchange to Ibadan.
The project, which is scheduled to be completed in four years, was awarded to the two contractors at N167bn.
Although the President had inaugurated the reconstruction work with a lot of fanfare, giving an impression that work was to start immediately, the contractors hinted on Thursday that they were still mobilising human and material resources for the project.
When our correspondent drove from the Lagos end of the road to the Sagamu Interchange on Thursday, there was nothing to suggest that work was in progress. Neither Julius Berger’s workers nor its equipment was found along the road.
Spokesman for Julius Berger, Mr. Clement Iluoba, however, said there was no cause for apprehension on the project, adding that the firm had given a firm commitment to complete the work on schedule and it would not fail.
According to him, the construction firm has moved into its work yard, formerly occupied by Bi-Courtney Highway Services, at the old toll gate, Lagos, in preparation for the project.
Bi-Courtney Highway was given the road modernisation project in 2009 under Build Operate and Transfer arrangement but the contract was terminated last year accusing by the Federal Government, which accussed the firm of non-performance.
Meanwhile, motorists and other users have continued to agonise as the state of the road worsens with heavy rains currently being witnessed.
There is constant heavy traffic at the section between Mowe and Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church, inward Berger Bus Stop.
Our correspondent observed that the road is riddled with potholes.
Heavy duty vehicles, which are parked along the two sides, have further narrowed the road.
Sometimes, people trapped in the traffic spend about two hours from the Sagamu end to Lagos as the traffic may stretch from MFM beyond Mowe, towards the interchange.
And once there is a breakdown of a truck on either of the sides, many people get stuck in the attendant long traffic.
Our correspondent also noticed that traffic was gradually building up in front of Fatgbems at Kara, as a number of potholes in the area had begun developing into craters.
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