Minister David Umahi Assures Prompt Payments to Contractors for Swift Project Delivery and Praises Progress on Various Infrastructure Endeavors
In a bid to accelerate the progress of Nigeria’s vital highway projects, Works Minister David Umahi has initiated a strategic shift towards night construction. During his inspection visits to project sites in Lagos and Ogun, Minister Umahi highlighted the intention to utilize night hours for construction in order to minimize inconvenience to road users and hasten the completion of critical infrastructure.
Minister Umahi shared his optimism while touring the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway rehabilitation and reconstruction project, revealing that the work was nearly 98 percent complete and poised for inauguration by mid-September. His announcement was accompanied by the assurance that ancillary elements such as interchanges and underpasses would continue to be developed alongside his efforts to secure support from the Ogun government for compensation payments related to Right of Way recovery.
Expressing the human dimension to the infrastructure drive, Umahi acknowledged the endurance of citizens in the face of hardships including gridlock and security challenges due to ongoing construction. Former Gbenga Daniel joined the minister during the inspection, commending the federal government for the project’s advancement and conveying gratitude on behalf of the populace for the minister’s prompt visit.
Umahi’s vision of utilizing consultants to manage concessions and tolls for federal highways across the country’s six geo-political zones emerged as part of his strategy for sustainable development. With an emphasis on longevity, he advised contractors to incorporate cement in road construction materials, suggesting that this inclusion could extend the lifespan of highways to a century with minimal maintenance.
During his inspection of the Eko Bridge’s Lagoon section, Minister Umahi introduced the concept of night construction to ensure efficient repairs and mitigate disruption for road users. He underscored the significance of maintaining bridges to prevent costly reconstructions, pledging swift payment to contractors to expedite project completion.
Umahi praised the work of Buildwell Plants and Industries Ltd at sections of the Eko Bridge, expressing satisfaction with their progress. The minister’s visit to the Apapa-Oshodi-Ojota-Oworonshoki expressway project also yielded positive results, as he commended Dangote for the exceptional quality of work and reinforced the mandate for concrete usage in all supervised projects.
Notably, the minister’s visit revealed concerns over refuse accumulation along project alignments, prompting his commitment to collaborate with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to address the issue. In addition to the physical infrastructure, Umahi underscored the importance of involving citizens in the maintenance of open spaces under the bridges, reinforcing the communal aspect of his initiatives.
In a testament to his commitment to efficient infrastructure development, Minister Umahi concluded his inspection tour by visiting the Dangote Refinery Road at the Lekki Free Trade Zone, emphasizing the holistic approach taken to rejuvenate Nigeria’s critical transportation networks.
