The Federal Government has warned that it will take over more than 50 per cent of the rehabilitation and expansion contract for the Ibadan–Ilesha expressway if the contractor fails to comply with laid-down instructions.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, issued the warning on Wednesday during an inspection tour of the ongoing project.
Umahi acknowledged that the contractor, CBC, was making progress on the project but stressed that performance would be closely monitored.
“They are doing well because they are working on 216 kilometres of road. However, they should understand their capacity,” the minister said.
He warned that failure to carry out immediate palliative works on the failed portions of the road would compel the Federal Government to reduce the contractor’s scope of work.
“If they don’t do what I am about to issue, then I will take over 108 kilometres of the road; that is one full carriageway,” Umahi declared.
The minister directed the contractor to deploy additional manpower and equipment to fast-track the project, insisting that five full gangs must immediately commence concrete works.
“I want to see five full gangs doing the concrete work. The first gang has to work from chainage zero to chainage 25, both sides, which is 50 kilometres,” he said.
Umahi added that the remaining four gangs should focus on other failed sections of the road and provide urgent palliatives to ease the hardship faced by motorists.
The minister also warned that the Federal Government would not pay for any earthwork it did not approve, accusing the contractor of engaging in unnecessary activities.
“I have seen that CBC is producing works for themselves. There is no need for this entire earthwork they are doing. The earthwork will come after the concrete is laid,” he stated.
He explained that the road design already provided for inner and outer shoulders, making the removal and replacement of laterite unnecessary.
“All that we need when we come to this road is to go to the shoulder. We have an inner shoulder, which is 1.5 metres, and an outer shoulder, which is 2.75 metres. There is no need of removing it and bringing back another laterite.
“They are making works for themselves, and I will not pay for it,” Umahi emphasised.
Despite the stern warnings, the minister praised the contractor for addressing sections of the road affected by flooding.
He assured road users that immediate relief was a priority, noting that the Federal Government was ready to fund urgent palliative works.
“The palliative work must start, and I will pay for the asphalt work. I will use counterpart funds to pay for it. I want people to feel relieved on this road,” Umahi said.
The Ibadan-Ilesha expressway is a major arterial route linking the South-West and parts of the South-East, and its prolonged deterioration has remained a source of concern for motorists and residents along the corridor.