Mill, overlay stable roads – Umahi directs Controllers, Contractors

Nigerian Minister of Works, Sen. (Engr) David Umahi has has directed Federal Controllers of Works across the country not to allow contractors to scarify, where the existing pavement structures stable, but to mill and overlay the asphalt.

Umahi who gave the directive when briefing the media, after inspecting some ongoing road projects in Lagos and Ogun State, adding that this will significantly reduce cost of construction, guarantee longevity, as well as improve the delivery time of road projects.

According to the statement released by the Ministry, while speaking of Ikorodu – Ito-Ikin Road, in Lagos State, the Minister expressed his displeasure with the attitude of the contractor, Messrs Geld (Nig.) Limited for using the money meant for road construction to perform mere palliative works.
He demanded that they immediately report back to the site for active construction work, refund the money, or face legal action, as well as financial embarrassment by the Federal Government.

“The era of scamming the Government is, indeed, over with the coming of the Renewed Hope of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu” he informed them.

At the rehabilitated section of the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Expressway in Lagos and Ogun States, where Julius Berger (Nig.) PLC was only able to complete a side of the dual carriageway.

The Minister revealed that out of the 78 kilometres remaining side of alignment, the Ogun State Government has taken over 60 kilometres, while the Ministry is to do the remaining 18.
He also announced that the Ministry is redesigning the remaining portion using continuous reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) technology, adding that it will soon be procured through selective tendering without undermining JBN PLC from participating.

After being briefed on the progress of work on the ongoing Rehabilitation and Expansion of Lagos – Badagry Expressway, Section I (Agbara Junction – Badagry Roundabout) in Lagos State by the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Engr. Olukorede Kesha.

The Minister commended, highly, the contractor. The project, which is part of the Nigeria’s corridor of the ECOWAS’ Lagos – Abidjan Highway, is being carried out by Messrs CGC (Nig.) Limited.

The focus, according to him, is on one section, where “CGC is doing a fantastic job.” He emphasised that wherever they are working in the country, they have demonstrated capacity and quality on the job.
Umahi revealed that about 80% of the work has been completed and is slated for commissioning in April, alongside other completed projects.

Promising that the second section will soon be procured with the adoption of CRCP, the Minister assured that a report had been sent to Mr. President to take a decision, adding that as the Chairman of the ECOWAS’ Ministers of Works/Infrastructure on the said corridor, he has proposed that each member-state should construct their section of the Highway.

He reiterated that the project is divided into two sections with the first starting from Agbara Junction – Badagry Roundabout) and the second section from Badagry Roundabout – Seme on the Nigeria/ Benin Republic Border) with a total length of 24. 3 and 21. 8 kilometres, respectively.
The focus, according to the Minister is on the first section, where the CGC is doing a fantastic job that requires more motivation to be able to finish up. He also intimated that the road was initially designed on four (4) lanes but redesigned to six (6) lanes.

The Minister was also at the site of the Rehabilitation of Ikorodu – Shagamu Road in Lagos and Ogun States being executed by Messrs Arab Contractors, which has a length of 30.4 kilometres.

The Federal Controller of Works, Ogun State, Engr. F.F. Oloyede informed the Minister that the project is going on satisfactorily without any encumbrances.

Accompanying the Minister on the tour of duty were the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi, Director, Highways, Bridges and Design, Engr. Bede Obioha and a host of technical staff from the Ministry.