Reconstruction of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to cost N160.7bn

The gruelling experience of travellers on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway may soon be over as the Federal Government has awarded a N160.7bn.contract for its reconstruction.

The road, which is the major artery linking Nigeria's commercial hub of Lagos, home to over 15 million people, to South East and some parts of South South regions, have been perennially in horrendous state.

The news of the award was broken to the THE PUNCH by the Senior Special Assistant to Presi dent Goodluck Jonathan on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe.

 
Okupe said the road would consist of three lanes on either side from Lagos up to the Sagamu interchange, and two lanes from there up to Ibadan.

He also said that there would be a flyover and inter-change at the Redemption Camp of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to solve the traffic gridlock on that portion of the road.

Okupe said, 'The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was awarded on Monday at a total cost of N160.7bn.

'The multi-lane road project, which will be handled by Julius Berger Construction Company and the RCC, will consist of three lanes on either side up to Sagamu junction, and two lanes up to Ibadan as well as a flyover and inter-change at the Redemption Camp to solve the perennial traffic gridlock on that portion of the road.'

He promised that the Federal Government would pay attention to the road, which he described as major.

Okupe also said the contractors had started mobilising to the site, adding that the government was determined to solve the crises on the road once and for all.

'Government is serious on infrastructure. You can see that major roads like the Kano-Maiduguri, Benin-Ore, Abuja-Lokoja, Owerri-Onitsha, Katsina-Daura and East-West roads and many others are being rehabilitated or reconstructed. The second Niger Bridge has been given out on concession and work is in steady progress,' the presidential aid said.

It will be recalled that the Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen, told journalists on Monday that the contract for the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway had been awarded to Julius Berger and RCC.

He, however, did not disclose the cost of the project.

Like the minister, Okupe also did not disclose the duration of the project.