The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has introduced night construction to fast track Nigeria’s highway projects in line with global practices.
Umahi said this during a visit to project sites in Lagos/Ogun States.
He said during the visit that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway rehabilitation/reconstruction was 98 percent completed and would be inaugurated mid-September.
The Minister said other ancillary works including interchanges and underpasses on the project would continue while he sought support of the Ogun government towards payment of compensations for Right of Way recovery.
While inspecting section two of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, he was joined by Senator Gbenga Daniel, a former Governor of Ogun State.
Umahi, who is a Civil Engineer, said the government was going to use consultants to concession and toll all Federal Highways in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
He advised the contractor, Raynolds Construction Company (RCC), handling section two of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project, to include a mix of cement in the Macadam being used on the project.
The Minister explained that inclusion of cement could make the highway last 100 years and be used for 50 years without maintenance.
While inspecting the Lagoon section of Eko Bridge, Umahi instructed the engineers to introduce night construction in line with global practices.
He said good construction ethics required minimal discomfort to road users, hence, the need to close critical sections that needed lifting for repairs after midnight.
The Minister added that night hours of construction under his supervision would improve the pace of project delivery.
He said it was cost effective to maintain the bridges to prevent their collapse, noting that reconstruction of any bridge would cost trillions of Naira.
Umahi assured the various contractors that the outstandings of their contract sums would be paid without further delay, so as to achieve prompt delivery of the projects.
He expressed satisfaction and praised the contractor, Buildwell Plants and Industries Ltd, for the quality of work done at Apongbon, Ijora Olopa, Lagoon and Costain sections of Eko bridge.
“We are happy with the designs and assure that the bridge will be completed before the end of November,” he said.
Umahi promised to prevail on President Bola Tinubu for quick completion of bridges undergoing maintenance in Lagos State.