FG will take over incomplete Lagos-Ibadan Expressway sections — Umahi
The Federal Government on Tuesday said it will take over any section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway not completed by contractors before April, as it pushes to finalize the long-delayed project.
Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
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Senator Umahi said the government was determined to commission the project and would not allow further delays.
He said: “We are poised to take over some parts of the route if they are not completed by April because we need to commission that project.”
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project, valued at N213 billion, was divided into two phases. Julius Berger completed the first phase, while RCC is still working on the second.
Umahi revealed that N30 billion is needed to complete the remaining sections, including an 8.55-kilometer stretch of the Lagos-bound carriageway.
According to him: “The contract value of what is left is about N4 billion and then the Lagos-bound is about 8.55 kilometer and this is what we re-scoped. That amount is N22 billion so you technically have about N30 billion, even though the total value of the project is N213 billion.
“But don’t forget that what is needed to complete that route is N30 billion and that’s Arab Contractors”, the Minister said.
Meanwhile, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of reviewing, re-scoping, and prioritizing ongoing infrastructure projects, FEC approved 14 major road contracts worth N242.148 billion across different states.
One of the projects approved is the Agaye-Kachia-Baro Road in Niger State, awarded to Messrs GR Building Construction Limited at a cost of N22 billion.
The council also approved N26.335 billion for the rehabilitation of the Odukpani Junction-Apeti section of the Calabar-Ikom-Ogoja Road in Cross River State, with Samatech as the contractor.
In Ogun State, Messrs HMF Construction Limited will handle the Abeokuta-Ajibo spur to Iyana Mosa Road for N10.89 billion.
Similarly, Niger Cat has been awarded N9.33 billion to construct the Inoma-Iyaka-Abaji section of the Ibaji-Odulu-Ajibu Road in Anambra State.
For the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road, Umuahia-Umudike in Abia State, the contract has been awarded to Heartland Construction Company at N14.37 billion.
Another major project is the Kaduna-Jos Road (Phase One) in Kaduna and Plateau States, which Setraco will execute for N33.423 billion.
The Yola-Fufore-Gurin Road in Adamawa State was also approved, with Wis China Worldwide Engineering Limited handling the N11.81 billion contract.
In Ogun State, N13 billion has been allocated for the Ijebu-Igbotita Road.
In Taraba State, Messrs Mode Limited will construct Lamido Road for N7.68 billion.
The Nkomoro-Isu Road in Enugu and Ebonyi States has been awarded to Arab Contractors at N14.49 billion, while the Ikot-Ekpene Border-Aba-Owerri Road Dualization was also approved for N11.55 billion, with Arab Contractors handling the project.
The Gashi-Bayamari Road (Section 2) in Yobe State has been awarded to Rick-Rock for N9.68 billion.
Additionally, Arab Contractors will execute the Ikorodu-Shagamu Road in Lagos State for N27.59 billion.
For the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the remaining sections will be completed by RCC and Arab Contractors, with N30 billion allocated to finalize the outstanding work.
Umahi also disclosed that FEC stepped down a proposal for the construction of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) headquarters, directing further research before reconsideration.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to fast-tracking road infrastructure across the country, ensuring timely completion of key projects, and delivering on President Tinubu’s infrastructure renewal drive.
Vanguard News
