The Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has flagged off the reconstruction and expansion of the Lagos-Ibadan Dual Carriageway, section 1, and section 1 of the Lagos-Sagamu Expressway.
Penpushing reports that Tinubu represented by Governor Dapo Abiodun at the flag-off ceremony at Sagamu, Ogun State, explained that the project, which would be completed in 24 months, would cover underpasses at Kara, Wawa, Magboro, and Arepo.
The President added that while flyover bridges would be constructed at Kilometer 16 around the Mountain of Fire Ministries (MFM) and Kilometer 37 at Makun around Sagamu, stressing that pedestrian bridges, would be constructed at Arepo, Magboro, NASFAT, Deeper Life, and Redemption Camp.
Penpushing further reports that in similar development he disclosed that the construction of the 60 kilometers remaining portion of the Sagamu-Benin Expressway from Sagamu Interchange to Itele would be flagged off to ensure the safety of road users.
The President acknowledged the strategic importance of the road as the busiest, providing a direct link between Lagos, the commercial capital of the nation, and the 17 southern states of the federation.
‘The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is not just another road; it is the busiest highway in Nigeria and the gateway to the hinterland, serving as the primary link between Lagos, the nation’s commercial capital, and the rest of the country’, he said.
‘The federal government is committed to leveraging our natural resources by linking rural roads to urban centers, commercial hubs, and industrial corridors. The strategic roles align with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and commitment to rebuilding, expanding, and modernizing our national road networks, railways, and airports, which is critical to the nation’s economic prosperity.”
Penpushing also reports that Tinubu emphasized the importance of road infrastructure as fundamental to the socio-economics of any nation; it sustains economic growth, facilitates mobility, and enhances quality of life.
The President, however, regretted the long neglect of the road, which has claimed many lives as a result of its poor condition, explaining that by upgrading and expanding the expressway, the Nigerian government is achieving a reduction in travel time, improving efficiency and productivity, enhancing safety, and facilitating ease of doing business in the country.
Penpushing reports that he maintained that the inclusion of the Sagamu-Ore in this phase further underscored the Renewed Hope Agenda’s vision of ensuring that national road networks meet international standards and support aspirations for economic expansion and industrial development.
The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, explained that on the Lagos-Ibadan project there are section 2, phase 2, which part was been flag off and awarded to Julius Berger construction company
“In the Lagos-Ibadan project, we have section 2, phase 2, and part of what we are doing today is that phase 2, which was awarded to Julius Berger. When we could not resolve our differences in terms of price, we terminated the job’, Umahi said.
What we are doing today is part of the Lagos-Ibadan project, which is phase 2, and it includes the works on Magboro underpass, Warewa underpass, Arepo underpass, Sagamu, and Iperu; that is 12 kilometers by 2, which is 24. The next phase of this job is also 48 kilometers by 2, that takes off from Iperu and gets to Ijebu-Ode. That is the Sagamu-Ore road’, he added
Penpushing further reports that the Minister directed that no payment should be made to contractors without an Advanced Payment Guarantee (APG) certificate, adding that it must be valid at the time of payment to the contractor, and the Performance Bond must also be valid before any payment is made to the contractor.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi, in his remarks said the House is poised to work with the Ministry to ensure that Nigerians have access to good road networks, stating that the road is not just for the people of Ogun State alone as it would affect the economic lives of Nigerians.
Penpushing also reports that Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ogun State Engr. Ade Akinsanya, while speaking expressed gratitude to the federal government for including footbridges in the project, assuring that the state would work with the contractor and federal government officials to ensure the speedy completion of the job.
The Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, however, called for the construction of two flyovers at the Sagamu junction as well as at the police divisional junction, and equally called for the construction of a fire station to respond to fire incidents on the road.
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