WORK RESUMES ON THE LAGOS-IBADAN EXPRESSWAY

Construction giants, Julius Berger PLC and RCC, are back on site in continuation of the re-construction of the N167 billion Lagos-Ibadan express way.

NAN reports that the presence of workmen became more noticeable at the Redemption Camp and Arepo areas at the Lagos end of the road.

NAN reports that while palliative works were ongoing at the failed spots in the Redemption Camp area of the road, major construction work was being done at the Arepo area.

Julius Berger is handling Section One of the project, which stretches from Shagamu Inter-Change to Lagos, while RCC is in charge of Section Two, stretching from Shagamu Inter-Change to Ojoo, Ibadan.

The repair of the failed sections has greatly brought relief to motorists who now clamoured for early completion of the road which, undoubtedly, remain the busiest highway in the country.

A source at the Julius Berger end of the road, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the company was back on the road for good, saying: “it is time to move forward on the project.”

The expected date for the completion of the project, which is being financed through Public and Private Partnership (PPP), is July 3, 2017.

Meanwhile, motorists and commuters who use the road have continued to appeal to the Federal Government to speed up work to make traveling on the road pleasurable.

Ojo Agege, a commercial vehicle driver plying the road daily, told NAN that it was high time the government ensured speedy completion of the project.

Lateef Mohammed, another commercial driver, told NAN that motorists would continue to have nightmares on the road until Federal Government fixed the road.

“All we are saying is that the government should help to fast-track the construction of the road to ease traffic delay being experienced daily by travellers,” he said.

Simisola Joseph, a female trader, however, expressed optimism that with the coming of Babatunde Fashola as Works and Housing Minister,the construction would soon be completed.

Motorists and travellers have also commended RCC for the progress made so far on the Section Two of the road from Shagamu Inter-Change to Ibadan.

Femi Ajegun, a driver, told NAN that vehicular movement was now easy with the completion of work on some critical areas at the Ibadan end of the road.

“With the quality of job done and removal of long stretch of diversion by RCC, motorists and travellers now experience some pleasurable ride,” he said.

Sule Maito, a bus passenger at Ogere area of the road, told NAN that if RCC could continue with the way it was going, the job could be completed on schedule.

NAN recalls that the Federal Ministry of Works, last week after a meeting of stakeholders with the Presidency, said that government had committed N50 billion to the project.

The ministry promised that no stone would be left unturned to ensure completion of the road rehabilitation on time.