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By Chukwuma Umeorah
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has issued fresh construction directives on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway and the Iperu–Ore section of the Benin–Sagamu corridor, ordering immediate corrective works, stricter site supervision and accelerated delivery following an inspection of ongoing concrete highway projects.
Umahi, who inspected the Lagos–Ibadan dual carriageway reconstruction between the Sagamu Interchange and Iperu Junction on Tuesday said resident engineers must now formally document and sign off all ministerial instructions during site visits, warning that future compliance would be assessed against those records.
“I will give my instructions, then the resident engineer will write it down, and then I will sign it off, and he will sign. When next I’m visiting, I will look at the instruction, whether he has fully carried it out.”
The minister warned that contractors who fail to comply with directives risk having portions of their contracts withdrawn, stressing that supervision would be intensified through resident engineers and ministry officials.
On the 12-kilometre-by-two Lagos–Ibadan section, Umahi expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, noting that although only about 30 per cent of the contract sum had been paid, “they have done over 50 percent of the job.”
He said the contract was valued at about N187 billion.
He, however, ordered immediate protective works along completed rigid pavements, directing contractors to stabilise shoulders with laterite and ensure a minimum protection width of 1.5 metres to prevent water ingress. “So any part you have completed, I want to see you do the shoulder protection. This is very vital,” he said, adding that drainage could commence where necessary.
The minister also set a deadline for the installation of solar lighting on the completed stretch, warning that the assignment would be reassigned if not delivered within the month. “The solar light should get started immediately and must finish by the end of the month,” he said.
Providing technical updates, Resident Engineer for Section 1, OGW1, Engineer Aderanti Ogini, said the Lagos–Ibadan project involves the “reconstruction, rehabilitation and expansion on Lagos-Ibadan dual carriageway, section 1,” covering 12 kilometres by two from the Sagamu Interchange to Iperu Junction.
He said rigid pavement had been completed on 12 kilometres of the right-hand side and eight kilometres on the left-hand side, with five pedestrian bridges planned along the corridor, three of which are already under construction.
On the Iperu–Ore axis, which links Ogun State to Ondo and the eastern corridor, Resident Engineer Engineer Adebanjo Adebisi said the project spans 48 kilometres by two, adding that 12 kilometres of rigid pavement had been achieved so far on one carriageway.
Umahi commended the quality of concrete work on the Iperu–Ore section but ordered the immediate removal of defective medians and non-compliant joints, directing contractors to reconstruct affected areas at their own cost.
He further ordered the milling of asphalt along the remaining 96 kilometres of the corridor to improve motorability, ease traffic flow, and prepare shoulders for stabilisation before full concrete works resume.
“I want to see that happen so that our people can have a breather,” he said.
Umahi also extended his inspection to the Ibadan–Ilesa Expressway, where he ordered immediate palliative interventions, including milling of failed asphalt sections, stabilisation of shoulders with stone base, and deployment of multiple work gangs across defined chainages to restore motorability while concrete reconstruction continues.
He said contractors who divert from the approved construction sequence or expand earthworks beyond specification would not be paid, adding that emergency asphalt works on failed sections would be funded to ease hardship for commuters.
