Minister of Works, Dave Umahi Assures Completion of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway by Mid-September

Mr David Umahi, the present Minister of Works announced that there will be night construction to increase the speed of Nigeria's highway projects.

He made this known during his visit to project sites in Lagos/Ogun States. He noted that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway rehabilitation/reconstruction was 98% completed and would be inaugurated in mid-September.

Umahi also added that other ancillary works ranging around different projects would continue while he sought the support of the Ogun government to compensate for Right of Way recovery.

Also on the inspection of section two of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project, Dave Umahi was accompanied by Sen. Gbenga Daniel, a former Governor of Ogun.

The Minister was a renowned civil engineer before joining politics. During the briefing to journalists, Umahi stated that the government will engage consultants to concession and toll all federal roadways in Nigeria's six geopolitical zones.

He told Raynolds Construction Company (RCC), the contractor in charge of section two of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project, to include a cement mix in the Macadam used on the project.

The use of cement, according to the minister, could make the roadway endure 100 years and be utilized for 50 years without repairs.

Daniel, for his part, congratulated the federal government for the project's development, noting his people had faced hardships such as congestion and insecurity throughout construction.

Umahi asked the engineers to implement night construction by worldwide practices when examining the Lagoon part of the Eko Bridge.

He stated that proper construction ethics demanded that road users be frustrated as little as possible, therefore the necessity to close important parts that needed lift for repairs after midnight.

The minister also stated that nighttime construction under his supervision will speed up project completion.

He stated that maintaining the bridges to prevent their collapse was cost-effective, noting that rebuilding any bridge would cost billions of Naira.

Umahi informed the different contractors that any outstanding contract would be paid without further delay to complete the projects on time.