Lagos-Ibadan expressway reconstruction: More buildings to be demolished

Federal Government is set to demolish more buildings on Lagos-Ibadan expressway in the ongoing reconstruction of the expressway. Funsho Adebiyi, Director of Highways, South West, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, told newsmen on Tuesday during a tour of the road, including the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road and Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki expressway, said the reconstruction of the road had been include interchanges and flyovers. The inclusion of interchanges and flyovers warranted the need for demolition of structures and buildings along some axis of the road to give room for the new developments. This was made known on Tuesday by the Director of Highways, South West, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Funsho Adebiyi, during a tour of roads including the Ikorodu-Sagamu Road and Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki expressway. “We are taking advantage of the weather to fast-track the construction process and we are making significant progress. “We are not leaving any stone unturned, as a matter of fact on some of our sites we are now working 24/7 to ensure we make significant progress before the rains come. “Those around Lotto should bear with us, if you see your house marked for demolition it does not mean the end has come, we will not demolish the houses until all compensations are paid. Even if we are to relocate pockets of communities we will do our best to ensure we move them to a better place,” he said. He said that President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to massive reconstruction of highways across the nation including the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. He appealed to road users to bear the pockets of discomforts which the ministry is working hard to address and obey road and traffic rules to minimize gridlock. He also appealed to motorists to observe lane discipline and speed limits around the construction zones. He explained that different layers of quality materials go into the foundation of the construction up till it gets to the final layer of 600 mm thickness for durability. “This layer is the macadam but we are still building to add more layers to get to this drain level to ensure water does not remain on the road. All together the cross section is about 600 metres thick,” he said. He assured the people that there is adequate traffic diversion and enough funding for smooth completion of the project. He appealed to residents around Lotto on the highway to bear with government in the gridlock challenges with assurances it would be controlled by the proposed construction of an interchange. He also appealed to truck drivers to stop indiscriminate parking on the highway to give way for construction. He said that almost 20 kilometres have been completed out of about 43 on section one which spans from Ojota in Lagos to the Sagamu Interchange representing 42 per cent completion. He said that 45 kilometres have been completed out of 84 kilometres on the section two of the project which spans from Sagamu Interchange to Ojo in Ibadan representing 45 per cent completion. The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Adedamola Kuti, speaking on the section between Berger and Kara under construction, which takes heavy traffic, assured Nigerians that February completion is certain. Kuti said that materials have been moved close to the 600 metres stretch to ensure speedy completion using the clemency of weather. “The February date for that portion is sacrosanct and we are sure we are delivering it,” he said.